Opp parties from J-K to apprise President of Kashmir situation

Srinagar, Aug 17 (PTI) Opposition parties in Kashmirwhich met here today decided to approach President PranabMukherjee to apprise him of the situation in the Valley anddemanded a probe by a retired Supreme Court judge intoallegations of excessive use of force by security personnel. "We have decided to seek time from the President toapprise him about the real ground situation in Kashmir. "We will try to persuade the (Union) government to takesteps that will at least help in improving the situation inthe Valley," National Conference working president OmarAbdullah told reporters here after the meeting at hisresidence. He said the delegation of opposition parties will go toDelhi to press for a dialogue with all stakeholders and addedthat blaming Pakistan for everything that goes wrong inKashmir was not the right approach. The meeting was attended by several Congress leadersincluding JKPCC chief G A Mir, CPI(M) MLA from Kulgam MohammadYousuf Tarigami, Independent MLAs Hakim Mohammad Yasin andSheikh Abdul Rashid and former minister Ghulam Hassan Mir. Omar said the opposition parties have demanded an inquiryby a retired Supreme Court judge into the allegations ofexcessive force by security forces while dealing withprotestors. They will also seek a special session of theAssembly to discuss the situation. "Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti in her speech on August15 has herself said that some elements in security forces didnot follow her instructions (of exercising maximum restraint). "So this is an opportune time for a judicial inquiryheaded by a retired Supreme Court judge," he said. The former chief minister said all the opposition partieswere worried about youths getting killed and injured insecurity forces’ firing, while the state and the centralgovernments "mishandled" the situation. "We are also worried that the political nature of Jammuand Kashmir has neither been accepted nor understood. "When it has not been accepted, it is implied that noefforts have been made to find a solution to it," he said. Omar said Kashmir is a political issue which needs to beaddressed politically. "The first step is to admit and recognise the anger andthen take steps to address it. "So far that has not happened. The All-Party Meetingchaired by the Prime Minister (on August 12) happened becauseParliament was in session and it was the opposition’sinitiative that brought the issue twice for discussion. "Otherwise, we would not have heard anything from thegovernment," he said. Asked about the Centre raising the Balochistan issue,Omar said his personal view was that efforts should be focusedon setting "our own house in order". "You (Centre) want to rake up Balochistan, by all meansdo it but there is a fire burning in Kashmir. It also shouldbe addressed," he said. On Pakistan’s role, Omar said, "While Pakistan has ahabit of fishing in troubled waters, I do not think thepresent situation is because of it. "If we believe that Pakistan is behind all this, it meansthat we do not have to do anything to set things right," headded. "As far as dialogue (with Pakistan) is concerned, wehave been votaries of dialogue for resolution. Jammu andKashmir was made an issue between India and Pakistan way backin 1970s with the Simla Agreement. "We believe Pakistan as our neighbour is a country thatneeds to be talked to… and it is something Prime MinisterNarendra Modi has done in the past," Omar said. PTI MIJRT