Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that he is as pained about the crisis in Kashmir as the rest of the country.
Chairing an all-party meeting on the situation in the valley, Modi added that the government is prepared to address “grievances” of all sections of people in the state and that there cannot be any compromise with the nation’s integrity
Manmohan Singh, Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley, Mallikarjun Kharge, GN Azad, Mulayam Singh Yadav and YS Chowdary were also present for meet.
Talking about the crisis in the valley, Modi said:
Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh and PoK are integral part of India. It is responsibility of every government to maintain law and order. There cannot be any compromise on national security Every Kashmiri wants peace and has faith in the democracy.
Modi also dubbed cross-border terrorism supported by Pakistan as the root cause of turbulence in the valley. He asked the neighbouring country to “answer the world, on atrocities against people in Balochistan & PoK.”
Development Package of Over Rs 80,000 crore for Kashmir
Addressing a media conference immediately after the meeting, Home Minister Rajnath Singh announced a a development package of over Rs 80,000 crore for the overall development of the state.
The suggestion of an all-party delegation visiting Kashmir was also made, however, there wasn’t any consensus reached on it.
Post Wani’s death, the use of pellets by security forces in the valley had ignited a raging debate. Discussing the same, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that “security forces have been advised to act with utmost restraint.”
Government Needs to Stop Use of Pellets: Yechury
The situation in the valley has been tense since Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed by security forces on 8 July. Modi added that it’s a huge relief that “all parties have spoken in one voice on Jammu and Kashmir.”
CPI (M)‘s Sitaram Yechury asserted that the “government has to take confidence building measures, announce stoppage of pellet guns use, announce AFSPA to be withdrawn from civilian areas.”
Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, quoting former Prime Minster Manmohan Singh, said that the most important thing “with respect to Kashmir is to defuse the present tense and tragic situation.”
We Will Talk to Everybody on the Issue: Rajnath Singh
The meeting was scheduled by the Centre after the Monsoon session in the Parliament for a comprehensive and concrete decision on curbing the violence in Kashmir.
Rajnath Singh had earlier assured the opposition that the government would, without a doubt “talk to all” and engage all parties in the dialogue regarding Kashmir, whether “moderates, political parties or others.”
Former chief minister and NC president, Omar Abdullah, CPI(M) MLA Yousuf Tarigami and independent legislator Engineer Rashid were among those not invited.
(Source: PTI, ANI and Hindustan Times)
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