Chidambaram blames PDP-BJP Govt for Kashmir unrest

New Delhi, Aug 17 (PTI) Senior Congress leader and formerHome Minister P Chidambaram today blamed the PDP-BJPgovernment for the unrest in Kashmir Valley and said thestatements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi have "exacerbated"the crisis. Chidambaram said he was deeply concerned over thesituation in Jammu and Kashmir, which is "sliding into totalchaos". "The PDP-BJP government is squarely responsible for thesharp deterioration in the last 6 weeks," he said in astatement. The former Home and Finance Minister in the UPAgovernment said the statements of the Prime Minister, HomeMinister Rajnath Singh and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikarhave "exacerbated" the crisis. "Moderation in words and actions alone can retrieve thesituation. The loss of lives — of protesting youth, othercivilians and security forces — has devastated all of us.This must stop," he said. Chidambaram said he was afraid the way out of the crisiscannot be found by the present government. "The Congress, National Conference and, if willing, thePDP must come together to find a solution: firstly, animmediate solution to stop the violence and, then, a pathforward that will bring hope, peace and prosperity to thepeople of Jammu and Kashmir," he said. Normal life in Kashmir Valley has been affected due toprotests against the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Waniin an encounter with security forces on July 8. 63 personshave been so far killed in the ongoing unrest. PTI ACBDV