An all-party resolution has appealed for peace and dialogue to solve the Kashmir crisis, emphasising that there can be no compromise on the issue of national sovereignty.
The unanimous resolution was released today after a three-hour-long meeting in Delhi of parliamentarians from 20 parties who visited Jammu and Kashmir, where over 70 people have died and nearly 10,000 have been injured in violent protests in the last two months.
The members of the delegation, headed by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, met in New Delhi on September 7 and discussed the outcome of their interactions with the civil society, political parties and government officials during the visit on September 4 and 5.
Without making any reference to separatists including Hurriyat Conference, the statement asked the Central and state governments “to take steps for a dialogue with all stake holders”. While some opposition leaders met Hurriyat Conference leaders lodged in various sub jails, hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani refused to meet them.
Expressing serious concern over the prevailing situation in the state, the statement said the members of the delegation were of the view that there is no place for violence in a civilised society.
“There can be no compromises on the issues of national sovereignty,” it added.
The meeting asked both the governments to take steps to ensure that education institutions, government offices and commercial establishment start functioning normally at the earliest.
They requested the government to take effective steps to ensure security for all citizens and provide medical treatment to citizens and security personnel injured in agitation.
After the meeting, CPM General Secretary Sitaram Yechurry said that he had favoured some confidence building measures immediately which included banning the pellet guns, medical help to the injured and probe alleged excesses by the security forces.
No crackdown on Kashmiri separatists?
Contrary to media reports of a crackdown, the central government is not likely to slash facilities and perks being currently provided to Kashmiri separatist leaders, said sources on Wednesday.
It was earlier reported that the Centre may withdraw security, passports of the Hurriyat faction leaders and scrutinise their banks accounts.
Sitaram Yechury said, ”Home Minister said in all-party meet that reports of government deciding to crackdown on separatists is absolutely wrong.”
