PM appeals to all parties to work together to resolve problems

in J-K New Delhi, Aug 22 (PTI) In a bid to reach out to peopleof Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed his"deep concern and pain" over the situation there and asked allpolitical parties to work together to find a "permanent andlasting" solution to problems in Jammu and Kashmir. Making an appeal for restoration of normalcy in theValley where the unrest entered the 45th day, Modi emphasisedthat there has to be a dialogue. An official statement issued after his 75-minute-longmeeting with a joint opposition delegation led by former ChiefMinister Omar Abdullah said the Prime Minister appreciated the"constructive suggestions" made by them during the talks andreiterated his government’s commitment to the welfare ofpeople. The 20-member delegation comprising Omar and seven ofhis National Conference MLAs, Congress legislators led by PCCChief G A Mir and CPI-M MLA M Y Tarigami had called on thePrime Minister this morning and made an appeal for a politicalapproach for resolving the crisis in the Valley and to ensurethat the "mistakes" of the past are not repeated. Immediately after the statement was released , Omartweeted, "we welcome the statement of the Hon PM @narendramodiji and look forward to working together to find a lastingsolution to problems of J&K." The 46-year-old Working President of National ConferenceOmar told reporters after the meeting that they requested thePrime Minister for finding a political solution to the Kashmirissue so that a lasting peace is ensured in the state as wellas in the country. The Prime Minister emphasised on the need for dialogue tofind a "permanent and lasting solution" within the frameworkof the Constitution and also asked all political parties towork together to find a solution to the problems in Jammu andKashmir. Expressing his "deep concern and pain" at the prevailingsituation, the Prime Minister said "those who lost their livesduring recent disturbances are part of us, our nation; whetherthe lives lost are of our youth, security personnel or police,it distresses us." "Government and the nation stand with the state of Jammuand Kashmir," the Prime Minister said, and suggested that allpolitical parties should reach out to the people and conveythe same. He expressed his commitment to the development of thestate and its people, and appealed for restoration of normalcyin the state. Kashmir has been witnessing unrest since the killing ofHizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8 and so farover 60 people have been killed. MORE PTI SKL AKK GSNGSN