Jammu-Kashmir political parties urge Centre to reach alienated sections of State

SRINAGAR - Political parties of Jammu and Kashmir and other stake holders in the State on Monday urged the Central Government to reach out to the alienated sections of people and intensify the dialogue process to restore peace and order in the State.

An All Party Delegation, comprising various Members of Parliament, began their two day peace mission on Monday morning to hold discussions with all stake holders in Jammu and Kashmir.

Today, during their interaction with the visiting delegation, the ruling National Conference party reiterated its demand for autonomy, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) called for finding an out of box solution while the Congress party stressed to adapt an unconventional approach to restore peace and address the aspirations of people here.

Speaking to reporters after their meeting senior National Conference leader and State Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rathar, said the party made it clear that over the years, the autonomy of this State was eroded, which the party believes is the reason for the prevailing discontent.

He also welcomed the statements made by the Home Minister ahead of the meeting saying it has given some hope.

The PDP leader Nizamuddin Bhatt said that the present crisis is due to long pending Kashmir issue and immediate mishandling of the situation by the Omar Abdullah government.

He said that party renewed its demand for revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act and unconditional dialogue with all sections of people.

Though the PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti abstained, her party’s delegation was led by Dilawar Mir.

Congress party’s Jammu and Kashmir unit President and former Union Minister Safuddin Soz said that the party urged the delegation to restore civil liberties of the people in full measure and with dignity.

Soz said asserting dialogue was only way forward and Congress would vigorously facilitate such a process.

The delegation today also met student groups, traders, fruit growers and trade union leaders to seek their views.

However, moderate Hurriyat Conference Chief Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) leader Yasin Malik called for a result oriented dialogue to find a lasting solution to the Kashmir issue. They sent a joint memorandum to the delegation.

Some members of the delegation met Mirwaiz Umer Farooq at his residence to seek his support for peace mission.

Talking to Gurudas Das Gupta of CPI, Mirwaiz alleged that the credibility of institution of dialogue has been eroded and suggested that the delegation membrs should meet the common man to know his problems.

Dasgupta assured him that he would take up the issues of concern with the government and in Parliament.

Prakash Singh Badal of the Akali Dal, Communist Party of India (Marxist) Sitaram Yechury also met hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani at his residence. (ANI)