New Delhi, August 20 (PTI/ANI): Kashmiri opposition leaders led by former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called on the Indian President Pranab Mukherjee here on Saturday to request him to urge the Narendra Modi government at the Center, to find a solution to the on-going Kashmir crisis politically rather than administratively..
“The failure of the central government to acknowledge that the issue in Kashmir is largely of a political nature has worsened the already volatile situation,” Omar, who was leading a delegation of 20 opposition leaders, told reporters after an hour-long meeting with the President.
“We have requested the President to impress upon the central government to initiate a credible and meaningful process of political dialogue without any further delay involving all stakeholders to address the political issue in the state,” the National Conference leader said.
The approach of the Central and the State governments “is disappointing and can have serious long term implications on peace and stability in the state”.
Omar said that their meeting with the President symbolized the deep concerns that the opposition parties have about the prevailing situation and also their disappointment at the way the matter is handled, both by the Center and the state government.
Asserting that the unrest in the Valley stemmed from a political problem, Omar said that the situation cannot be handled administratively.
“With the sale of petroleum and other products being banned, with the movement of ambulances to hospitals being affected, with stringent curfew measures being enforced, all that is happening is that more and more people are being driven out onto the streets and the problem is getting worse,” Omar said.
In the memorandum, the opposition has requested the President to get the Government of India to acknowledge that the root cause of what is happening in the Valley, lies in the politics of Jammu and Kashmir, and the solution also must be found politically, not administratively and not through the use of force.
“This is what the position of all political parties took with the president and we do hope that there will be a positive outcome from our visit here,” Omar added.
Lashing out at the Mehbooba Mufti-led government for its sheer failure to contain the volatile conditions in the state, Omar stated that the Chief Minister is directly responsible for the deteriorating situation
He also alleged that people who are undergoing their 43rd day of restrictions and curfew are having further restrictions placed on them, increasing their misery.
“It’s administrative anarchy in J and K. One ruling is announced in the morning and by evening, it is contradicted,” Omar said.
The former Chief Minister, who was flanked by Congress Members of the Legislative Assembly led by the state Congress party chief, G A Mir, CPM MLA M. Y. Tarigami and Independent legislator Hakim Yaseen, said, “The fire that has been raging in Kashmir Valley for the last 42 days has already started spreading to Chenab Valley and Kargil.”
“I wonder when the government will wake up,” Omar said, alleging that the state and central governments are trying to “crush the agitation by using administrative measures” like stopping sale of petrol and other essential commodities.
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