Modi agrees to hold talks with Kashmiris

ISLAMABAD: In his bid to reach out to the people of occupied Kashmir (IOK), Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed his deep concern and pain over the situation there and asked all the political parties to work together to find a “permanent and lasting” solution to the problem.

Making an appeal for restoration of normalcy in the valley where the unrest entered the 45th day, Modi emphasized that there had to be a dialogue, the Indian media reported.An official statement issued after his 75-minute meeting with a joint opposition delegation led by former chief minister Omar Abdullah said the prime minister appreciated the constructive suggestions made by them during the talks and reiterated his government’s commitment to the welfare of people.

The 20-member delegation, comprising Omar and seven of his National Conference MLAs, Congress legislators led by PCC Chief G A Mir and CPI-M MLA M Y Tarigami, called on Modi and made an appeal for adopting a political approach for resolving the crisis and to ensure that the mistakes of the past are not repeated.

Immediately after the statement was released, Omar tweeted, “We welcome the statement of the Hon PM @narendramodi ji and look forward to working together to find a lasting solution to problems of J&K.”

Omar told reporters afterrequested the prime minister to find a political solution to the Kashmir issue so that a lasting peace was ensured in the state as well as in the country.

Modi emphasized the need for dialogue to find a "permanent and lasting solution" within the framework of the Constitution and also asked all political parties to work together to find a solution to the problems in the valley.

Expressing his "deep concern and pain" at the prevailing situation, the prime minister said: "Those who lost their lives during recent disturbances are part of us, our nation; whether the lives lost are of our youth, security personnel or police, it distresses us."

"The government and the nation stand with the state of Jammu and Kashmir," the prime minister said, and suggested that all political parties should reach out to the people and convey the same.

He expressed his commitment to the development of the state and its people, and appealed for restoration of normalcy in the state.

Kashmir has been witnessing unrest since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8 and so far over 60 people have been killed. 

  Meanwhile, accusing the Centre of being rife with contradictions over their policy towards the Jammu and Kashmir, the Congress Monday said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's recent tough stand on the occupied valley was on a whole different tangent from that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was batting for a dialogue to find a lasting solution to the unrest in the state.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Congress leader Manish Tewari said even after 44 days the situation in the IOK had not abated. "The finance minister went to Jammu and Kashmir and his comments implied that he felt there was no need for dialogue,” Tewari said. 

Hurriyat chief Syed Ali Shah Geelani Monday said for the lasting solution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute, the Indian government must shun state violence and uphold international law.

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi pressed for a lasting solution to the Kashmir problem, Geelani said it lay in India adhering to the UN resolutions.

"By fulfilling its promises and obligations towards the people of Jammu and Kashmir, we understand the universal principle of 'right to self-determination' is the only road through which peace can be achieved in Jammu and Kashmir," the spokesman added.

Meanwhile, in the wake of continuous unrest, the centre Monday rushed 2,600 additional paramilitary forces to the valley.

Twenty-six companies (100 personnel in each company) of Border Security Force (BSF) are being dispatched to trouble-torn areas in the state for maintaining law and order, official sources said.

These forces are being drawn from Gujarat, Rajasthan and West Bengal and they are expected to reach the Valley in a day or two. Besides, an additional 30 companies of the force are also expected to be sent to the state in next few days after their withdrawal from the Amarnath Yatra duties, sources said. 

In another development, the Supreme Court Monday agreed with the stand of the central government on unrest in the IOK, saying that the issue could not be dealt with by the courts.

“We must appreciate that certain dimensions of the issue cannot be readdressed in court. The situation in the state keeps changing by the hour for which there is no judicial remedy,” the court said.

Chief Justice T.S. Thakur’s observations came while the court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) seeking protection of civil liberties of citizens in the state and imposition of governor’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir due to the unrest.

The bench asked advocate Bhim Singh, who appeared for the petitioner, to begin political consultations to resolve the issue. “Do not make political statements here. Tell us if you want to go and meet the political establishment that can deal with the matter,” the court said, referring to a meeting between a delegation of the state’s opposition parties led by former chief minister Omar Abdullah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and asked Singh to join the delegation.