Indicating the Government's readiness to initiate a dialogue process to defuse the volatile situation in Kashmir Valley, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed "deep concern and pain" over violence and deaths in Jammu & Kashmir. He also urged all political parties to work together to find a "permanent and lasting" solution to problems in J&K. In a statement after meeting a delegation of Opposition parties, the PM emphasised on the need for talks for a permanent and lasting solution within the framework of the Constitution.
An official statement issued after his 75-minute-long meeting with a joint Opposition delegation led by former J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the PM appreciated the "constructive suggestions" made by them during the talks and reiterated his Government's commitment to the welfare of the people of the State.
"The Prime Minister expressed deep concern and pain at the prevailing situation in the State. He said that those who lost their lives during the recent disturbances were part of us, our nation; whether the lives lost are of our youth, security personnel or police, it distresses us. He conveyed that his Government and the nation stand with the State of Jammu & Kashmir and suggested that all political parties should reach out to the people and convey the same. He expressed his commitment to the development of the State and its people, and appealed for restoration of normalcy," said the statement from the PMO.
He underlined the need for all political parties to work together to find a solution to the problems in J&K, said the statement.
The 20-member delegation comprising Omar and seven of his National Conference MlAs, Congress legislators led by PCC chief GA Mir, and CPI(M) MlA MY Tarigami called on the Prime Minister on Monday morning and made an appeal for a political approach for resolving the crisis in the Valley and to ensure that the "mistakes" of the past are not repeated.
Immediately after the release of the PM's statement , Omar tweeted, "We welcome the statement of the Hon PM @narendramodi ji and look forward to working together to find a lasting solution to problems of J&K."
Omar told reporters after the meeting that they requested the Prime Minister to find a political solution to the Kashmir issue so that a lasting peace is ensured in the State as well as in the country.
"The Prime Minister told us in categorical terms that development alone will not resolve this problem," he said and refused to draw any conclusion from that.
"I am not going to put words into the Prime Minister's mouth nor am I going to draw further meaning from what he said," Omar said.
"We talked about the same thing that we have been talking with other leaders ever since we arrived in Delhi that the issue of Jammu & Kashmir, especially in light of the present crisis, needs to be understood correctly after which a solution is required," said Omar, adding the Prime Minister listened to "us with patience and accepted our memorandum".
The leaders flagged the issue of youths falling victims to the continued protests, including a young teenager named Irfan who was killed on Sunday night when a teargas shell hit him on his chest.
"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," the memorandum submitted to Modi said.
Asked about the statement made by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in Jammu on Sunday that stone-pelters were no "satyagrahis but aggressors", Omar said, "I do not wish to say anything on this as the Prime Minister told us nothing like this.
"And more importantly, let's not play politics over Jammu and Kashmir. We will get ample time to play political games later."
The delegation started the political initiative on Saturday when it met President Pranab Mukherjee and submitted a memorandum, requesting him to use his office to influence the Centre for initiating a political dialogue with all stakeholders in the state. The delegation also met Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi.