PM Appeals for Peace in Kashmir


New Delhi, Sep 15 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday appealed for peace in Jammu and Kashmir, saying only dialogue could lead to a lasting solution of the lingering issue.

Appealing to people in the state to shun violence, the prime minister said in his opening remarks at an all-party meeting on Jammu and Kashmir here: "The only way to lasting peace is dialogue."

Manmohan Singh reiterated that his government was ready to talk to anyone in Jammu and Kashmir who shunned violence.

He said that some of the protests rocking the Kashmir Valley since June 11 had been "orchestrated" and added that he was shocked to see children take to the streets.

The prime minister made no specific reference to the large number of civilians killed in firing by security forces in the valley during mass protests, many of which have turned violent.

He said he was meeting leaders of political parties, including Jammu and Kashmir's ruling National Conference and the People's Democratic Party, to get "guidance" on how to solve the "complex, vexed" Kashmir issue.

Also attending the meeting were Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Left leaders, including Prakash Karat, as well as the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) L.K. Advani and Nitin Gadkari.

The prime minister also did not refer to the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), which many Kashmiris want withdrawn as it gives the security forces sweeping powers.

The unending protests and killing of civilians have overshadowed a lingering separatist campaign in Jammu and Kashmir that has left thousands dead since 1989.

 

 

 

  

Top Stories

Comment on this article

  • fathima, mangalore

    Wed, Sep 15 2010

    Best solution could be encouraging the unruly Kashmiris with a cash award of $2000 per family to cross the border to Pakistan on non-return basis. This helps desperate Pakistani government with hard cash and people can live together with their so called brothers forever.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse


Leave a Comment

Title: PM Appeals for Peace in Kashmir



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.