'Centre's policing attitude aggravated Kashmir issue'

With the death toll rising to over 80 in Kashmir unrest, noted journalist Siddharth Vardarajan today said it was due to the policing attitude of the Narendra Modi- led Central government that Delhi has lost the plot in Kashmir.

"The first thing I would say is that Delhi has lost the plot in Kashmir. Instead of trying to solve the problem they are in a state of denial and have resorted to policing to solve the problem of Kashmir.

"They are resorting to the use of pellet guns and jawans who are using it are not at all trained to use it properly. You always try to create an exception while dealing with the Kashmir issue," noted journalist Siddharth Vardarajan said while addressing a panel discussion on Kashmir issue.

Journalist Krishna Prasad said the policing attitude or 'Danda (stick) culture' of the Centre has further aggravated the problem of Kashmir.

Former bureaucrat Amit Kushari said while looking into the Kashmir problem, no one should ignore the sentiments of the people of Jammu and Ladakh who are very much Indians.

Another youth injured in clashes last week succumbed today, taking the toll to 80 including two policemen in the unrest that has gripped the Kashmir Valley since July 8, when Hizbul militant Burhan Wani was gunned down in an encounter and violent clashes broke out.