Centre should talk with all stakeholders on Kashmir: Cong

Centre should talk with all stakeholders on Kashmir: Cong
Centre should talk with all stakeholders on Kashmir: Cong

NEW DELHI:  As Home Minister Rajnath Singh embarked on a two-day visit to Kashmir today as part of government’s outreach, Congress said the Centre should talk with all stakeholders including non-mainstream parties and youth.

Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad also stressed on the need to send an all-party delegation to the Valley.

“Home Minister today has gone there and I am hopeful that he will not only talk to political parties but… Non- stream political parties, other stakeholders, students, trade unions, people from different religions. And now there should be peace,” the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha said.

He suggested that an all-party delegation which represents the entire country should go and that would have helped both state and the central governments.

Lamenting that the Valley has suffered a lot in last 47 days, Azad said, “Already so much blood have been shed in the Valley. Many have got injured including local residents and armed forces. Pellet guns have been used a lot due to which old, girls and boys have all got injured.

“Therefore, to control this situation instead of using gun, the government should have opted for talks (much earlier)”, he said, adding “now they should talk to all stakeholders.”

Earlier this week, a joint delegation of Kashmir Opposition parties, led by former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who expressed his deep concern and pain over the situation.

Modi had asked all political parties to work together to find a permanent and lasting solution to problems in the state. (AGENCIES)