An all-party delegation will visit Jammu and Kashmir to meet all sections of people to gather all shades of opinion on issues in the State. A decision to this effect was taken at the All-Party Meeting convened by the Prime Minister in New Delhi today. A statement issued at the end of the meeting said that the feed back from the all party delegation will form an important input in evolving government's response on various issues relating to Jammu and Kashmir. The leaders of various political parties agreed that the constitution of India provides ample scope to accommodate any legitimate political demand through dialogue and civil discourse. The government will also take into account the suggestions made at the meeting while considering measures and initiatives to reach out to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier, in his remarks, the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said that dialogue and discussion is the only way forward to address the present crisis in the state. He reiterated government's readiness to hold dialogue with anybody or any group that does not espouse violence. He said that dialogue can take place only in an atmosphere free from violence. Expressing shock at the fact that youth and even children joined protests in the valley. Dr. Singh said, while some of these protests may have been impulsive or spontaneous, it cannot be denied that some incidents were orchestrated by certain groups. Speaking on the occasion, the Congress President Sonia Gandhi said, the legitimate aspirations of Kashmiri youth must be respected and a magnanimous approach needs to be adopted to give them hope. She stressed the need for spirit of accommodation and reconciliation. The Congress President said the ideological and political differences should be put aside as the country is facing far too serious a challenge to allow these differences to stand in the way of a resolute, sensitive and appropriate actions. She said, the Congress party is more than willing to support a process of healing and dialogue in partnership with the people of the state and expressed deep sense of sorrow at the loss of life in the state. Representatives of all major parties took part in the marathon six-hour meeting. The National Conference has said that a new beginning has been made to resolve the vexed issues facing the state. Party leader Mehboob Beig said that he is satisfied with the outcome of today's deliberations. Dr. Farooq Abdullah, who led the party delegation at the meeting, dismissed reports of governance deficit, in the state and said that the Prime Minister has praised the Chief Minister Mr. Omar Abdullah. The PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti said that they pleaded for an unconditional dialogue and also called for release of the youth arrested during the recent violence. The BJP said that the violence is abetted from across the border cannot be ignored. The Party spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad however said that the party will extend constructive cooperation to the government for initiating any dialogue within the ambit of the constitution. The CPI(M) while pleading for dilution of AFSPA, called for beginning of the dialogue.
News On AIR | September 16, 2010 7:48 AM
All-party delegation to visit J&K to gather all shades of opinion