KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
A delegation of the Opposition Parties from J&K led by National Conference working president Omar Abdullah and consisting of senior leaders from Indian National Congress (INC), Communist Party of India – Marxist (CPI-M), Peoples’ Democratic Front (PDF) and Democratic Party Nationalist (DPN) called on Prime Minister of India at New Delhi Monday and submitted the joint memorandum.
“This joint opposition parties’ delegation from Jammu and Kashmir, cutting across party lines and regions of the State, wants to register its anguish, grief and sorrow over the painful loss of lives in the Valley in the current unrest and also express dismay at the lack of a political initiative to deal with the situation,” the memorandum submitted to PM said.
“More than sixty young lives have been lost in the Valley in the current unrest and thousands of young boys and girls have been injured due to an excessive use of force – many of whom have been blinded and maimed for life by the unchecked use of pellet guns.”
The tried and tested formulations of dealing with the issue in Kashmir administratively rather than politically has further exacerbated the situation and created an unprecedented sense of disaffection and disenchantment – especially among the youth, the memorandum said.
“We are of the firm opinion that the Central Government should waste no further time in initiating a credible and meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders to address the unrest in the State. We also implore you to announce an immediate ban on pellet guns and advise relevant quarters against the policy of mass harassment, raids and arrests as this has worsened an already volatile situation in the State and also goes against the values and principles of democracy.”
A continued failure to address the unrest in Kashmir will further deepen the sense of alienation. We hope you will take immediate measures to address this grave situation, the memorandum said.
