Political parties in J&K urge Centre to reach out to alienated sections
TIA correspondent
SRINAGAR: In a rare gesture of political sagacity, different group of leaders of different Indian political parties on Monday visited the homes of Kashmir separatists’ leaders and held open talks with them.
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The small groups were made after separatists refused to talk to the delegation from New Delhi that was led by Home Minister P. Chidambaram.
Five leaders, including Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Sitaram Yechury and Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen’s Asaduddin Owaisi, met Geelani at his residence in the curfew-bound city. T.R. Baalu of the DMK, Rattan Singh Ajnala of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Namanageshwara Rao of the Telegu Desam Party (TDP) were also present in the meeting with the separatist leader. They had very frank discussion.
The meeting assumes significance as Geelani had refused to meet the all-party delegation that is currently in Srinagar.
Two similar small groups also met moderate Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Yasin Malik.
The 42-member delegation that included BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitely, Left leaders Sitaram Yechury and Gurudas Dasgupta embarked on a two-day visit to the state to assess the ground situation against the backdrop of unabated unrest that has claimed over 100 lives in the last three months.
Meanwhile Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir urged the Centre to reach out to the alienated sections of people and intensify the dialogue process to restore peace and order in the State.
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An All Party Delegation of members of Parliament, began their two day peace mission this morning to hold discussions with all stake holders in Jammu and Kashmir.
In its interaction with the delegation, the National Conference renewed its demand for autonomy, the PDP called for out of box solution and the Congress stressed on an unconventional approach to restore peace and address the aspirations of people.
Talking to media persons after their meeting with the delegation senior national conference leader and Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rathar said that the party made it clear that over the years, the autonomy of this state was eroded which the party believes is the reason for the discontent. He welcomed the statements made by the Home Minister ahead of the meeting saying it has given some hope.
The PDP leader Nizamuddin Bhatt said that the present crisis is due to long pending Kashmir issue and immediate mishandling of the situation by the Omar Abdullah government. He said that party renewed its demand for revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act and unconditional dialogue with all sections of people.
The party delegation was led by Dilawar Mir and party chief Mehbooba Mufti abstained. The State Congress President and former Union Minister Safuddin Soz said that the party urged the delegation to restore civil liberties of the people in full measure and with dignity.
PM Calls on President discuses Kashmir
NEW DELHI: The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Monday called on the President Pratibha Devisingh Patil at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The meeting lasted for about 45 minutes. The two leaders discussed about just concluded State Visit of the President of India to Cambodia and Lao PDR. They also discussed about matters pertaining to J&K situation, left wing extremism, food storage facility, rehabilitation of cloud-burst victims in Leh region, Commonwealth Games 2010 to be held in the next month in New Delhi and various other issues of national and international importance.