All J-K party meeting decides independent commission to inquire civilian deaths

SRINAGAR - A meeting of all political parties here on Monday to find a way out of the crisis in Jammu and Kashmir ended with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announcing to set up an independent commission to inquire into the death of civilians in the state.

A decision was also reached in the meeting that a delegation will meet Prime minister Manmohan Singh and ask for his political initiatives for Jammu and Kashmir.

“The meeting decided that the all-party delegation shall call on the Prime Minister and invite his attention to various problems faced by the state. The last point that the meeting argued urged upon the government of India to strengthen the on-going peace process through internal and external dialogue,” Abdullah said after the meeting.

The parties decided to ask the Centre to strengthen the peace process through internal and external dialogue.

After the meeting, which lasted for four hours, there was an appeal to all political parties irrespective of their affiliation to come forward and help in restoration of peace and normalcy in the state.

Apart from Bhim Singh-led Panthers Party, leaders of all the major political parties like the ruling National Conference, Congress, CPM and BJP, attended the conference.

However, the main Opposition leader and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti did not attend the meeting despite the Prime Minister requesting her.

Abdullah convened this meet to discuss the law and order situation in the valley region of the state that has witnessed series of violent incidents of pelting of stones at police and security personnel leading to imposition of curfew at several places over the past three weeks.

So much so, the Army was called in to stage marches in curfew-bound towns to restore law and order following violent protests over civilian killings.

The invitation was extended to all 12 recognised political parties and groups for the meeting.

The deaths of at least 14 people, mostly protestors, in the last three weeks have triggered the biggest anti-India demonstrations in two years across the Kashmir valley. (ANI)