JOIN US“We are ready for dialogue with anybody or any group that does not espouse or practice violence,” Singh said at an all-party meeting on the Kashmir issue here.
He made it clear that whoever had grievances against the government could talk to the administration. But a meaningful dialogue can take place only in an atmosphere free from violence and confrontation.
Jammu and Kashmir is on the boil for the last four months but the violence has steeply escalated in the last two weeks compelling the administration to bring the entire Valley under curfew for the first time in 11 years. The Valley celebrated a violent Id as the protests intensified in the wake of the Quran burning call of an US pastor.
The agitators, including women, youth and children primarily demand withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the state, release of political prisoners, punishment of alleged violators of human rights and a change in the state administration. “While some of these protests may have been impulsive or spontaneous, it cannot be denied that some incidents were orchestrated by certain groups,” Singh said indicating involvement of foreign hand in fomenting troubles in Kashmir, adding to the separatists' movement.
“We meet in sadness. Sadness over the loss of lives, sadness over the injuries suffered by the people, the police and the security personnel. Sadness over the huge disruption in the daily lives of the common man and the financial losses suffered by hardworking ordinary people like tour operators, apple farmers, daily wage earners and houseboat owners,” he told leaders of all political parties seeking their advices on how to resolve the Kashmir crisis.