Oppn parties in Kashmir to approach Prez, want probe

Srinagar, Aug 17 (PTI) With Kashmir on the boil, thestate’s opposition parties today decided to approach PresidentPranab Mukherjee to apprise him of the "real" situation evenas they demanded a probe by a retired Supreme Court judge intoalleged use of excessive force by security personnel. The meeting of leaders of National Conference, Congressand CPI(M) besides some Independents also wanted a specialsession of the Assembly to discuss the situation and decidedto send a delegation of opposition parties to Delhi to pressfor a dialogue with all stakeholders. They insisted that blaming Pakistan for everything thatgoes wrong in Kashmir was not the right approach. "We have decided to seek time from the President toapprise him about the real ground situation in Kashmir,"National Conference working president Omar Abdullah toldreporters here after the meeting at his residence. The meeting was also attended by Congress leadersincluding JKPCC chief G A Mir, CPI(M) MLA Mohammad YousufTarigami, Independent MLAs Hakim Mohammad Yasin and SheikhAbdul Rashid and former minister Ghulam Hassan Mir. "We will try to persuade the (Union) government to takesteps that will at least help in improving the situation inthe Valley," Omar said while referring to the unrest which hasbeen going on for the last 40 days and resulted in the killingof 63 people. The former Chief Minister said the opposition partieshave demanded an inquiry by a retired Supreme Court judge intothe allegations of excessive force by security forces whiledealing with protestors. "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 inquiry headed bya retired Supreme Court judge," he said. He said all the opposition parties were worried over theyouth getting killed and injured in security forces’ firing,while the state and the central governments "mishandled" thesituation. "We are also worried that the political nature of Jammuand Kashmir has neither been accepted nor understood. When ithas not been accepted, it is implied that no efforts have beenmade 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,"he said. (MORE) PTI MIJ RT AKKAKK