PM hints at fresh talks on Kashmir

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday dropped hints of a fresh dialogue to find a “permanent and lasting” solution to the unrest in Kashmir, parts of which have been under curfew for the past 45 days.

Modi told a delegation of Opposition leaders from Jammu and Kashmir that all political parties should reach out to the people of the state to convey that the Centre and the nation stood by them in this period of crisis. “Those who lost their lives during the recent disturbances are part of us, our nation. Whether the lives lost are of our youth, security personnel or police, it distresses us,” the prime minister told the delegation, led by former chief minister Omar Abdullah.

Modi emphasised on the need for a dialogue to find a permanent and lasting solution to the problem within the framework of the Constitution. He also stressed on the need for all political parties to work together to find a solution to the problems in the state.

In a memorandum submitted to the prime minister, the delegation expressed dismay at the lack of political initiative to deal with the situation. They also demanded immediate ban on the use of pellet guns and an advisory against the “policy of mass harassment, raids and arrests”.

They also expressed dismay at the lack of political initiative to deal with the situation.

“The prime minister told us in categorical terms that development alone will not resolve this problem,” said Omar.

After the meeting, Omar, who had struck a strident line accusing the Centre and the PDP-BJP alliance state government of “mismanaging” the situation, sounded ready to welcome the prime minister’s initiative. “Let us not play politics over Jammu & Kashmir. We will get ample time to play political games later,” he said.