SRINAGAR: Urging centre to recognise Kashmir as a political problem which requires political engagement externally and internally, main opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir, National Conference (NC) said sustained dialogue with Pakistan and separatists only would help to evolve a consensus for an acceptable solution to the issue once and for all.
The NC which had boycotted the All Party Meeting (APM) called by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti recently, expressed shock over the alleged failure of the state government to deal with the situation after the death of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander Burhan Wani and two other militants in an encounter with security force in Kokernag in south Kashmir district of Anantnag on July 8 evening, evoking massive protests across the valley.
On the invitation from the government to discuss the prevailing situation in the Kashmir valley, a delegation of NC led by working president Mr Abdullah met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh at Raj Bhavan here today.
Mr Singh, who arrived here yesterday on a two-day visit to hold talks with various shades of opinion over the situation and seek their help to restore normalcy in the valley, held series of meetings yesterday also.
The NC delegation presented a memorandum to Mr Singh and urged the centre to initiate a sustained and meaningful dialogue with Pakistan and separatist organisations for evolving a mutually acceptable solution to the Kashmir issue.
It expressed deep disappointment at the failure of the successive central governments to recognise Kashmir as a problem which needs a political settlement .
The main opposition warned that the current unrest in the Kashmir valley, where so many lives were lost and thousands are injured, should not be treated as a mere law and order problem.
The NC urged the centre to think out of box settlement rather than trying tested formulations in dealing with the political sentiments in Kashmir, where there is unprecedented sense of disaffection and cynicism particularly among the youth that could have adverse long term implications.
However, the NC expressed hope that the centre would consider the consequences of refusing to acknowledge the political sentiment in Kashmir and take immediate steps to initiate a sustained political dialogue with Pakistan and with stakeholders in the Kashmir Valley, where continued failure to address growing political alienation in Kashmir will go against the interests of the country. (AGENCIES)
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