Opposition delegation from J&K to meet Modi tomorrow

With Kashmir in turmoil, a delegation of opposition parties from the state will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi tomorrow to impress upon him the need for finding a "political solution" to the crisis by initiating a dialogue with "all stakeholders".

The delegation led by former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of the National Conference will apprise Modi of the ground situation in the state, which is in the grip of a prolonged spell of violence and lockdown since the gunning down of militant commander Burhan Wani by security forces on July 8, and highlight the plight of Kashmiri people.

The delegation will include CPI-M MLA Mohammed Yusuf Tarigami, state Congress President G A Mir, senior leaders of National Conference and some Independent MLAs.

Sources in the opposition parties that would comprise the delegation said it would request the Prime Minister to impress upon the state government to stop dealing with the situation "administratively" as it was leading to "unprecedented disaffection", especially among the youth.

It would underscore the need to initiate a "credible and meaningful" dialogue with "all stakeholders" to bring an end to the unrest without "further waste of time", sources said.

The delegation would bring up the issue of use of pellet guns by security forces which has caused injuries to civilians on a large scale and pitch for an end to "mass harassment, raids and arrests" as these have worsened an already volatile situation in the state.

With the unrest in Kashmir showing no signs of abating, leaders of opposition parties ed by Omar had yesterday called on President Pranab Mukherjee and requested him to urge the Modi government to find a political solution to it.

The visit to the President followed a meeting chaired the 46-year-old Omar where serious concern was voiced about the turmoil spreading to other parts of the state including Jammu and Kargil.

The former Chief Minister, who was also accompanied by senior leaders of NC including Nasir Wani, Davinder Rana, Ali Mohammed Sagar and A R Rather, had yesterday said, "The fire that has been raging in Kashmir Valley has already started spreading across Peer Panjal and Chenab Valley in Jammu region and Kargil area."