End use of pellet guns, say parties

An all-party meeting held here on Thursday to deliberate on the current unrest in the Valley called for engaging all stakeholders in J&K in an effort to “carry forward the peace and reconciliation process” in the state. “The meeting calls for converting this political consensus into a national initiative for addressing the problems confronting Jammu and Kashmir and its people,” a resolution adopted at the end of the meet said. The meeting expressed deep grief and concern over the loss of life and injuries caused during the turbulence set off by the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani.

The participants, with a couple of “quiet” exceptions, in one voice called for an end to the use of controversial pellet guns by the forces.

The CPI(M)’s Muhammad Yusuf Tarigami said: “What is unfolding in Kashmir today is not happening for the first time... it has taken a different and more serious turn this time.” The main Opposition NC boycotted the meet.

Chief minister Mehbooba Mufti called for taking all the stakeholders on board and reviving the dialogue process with Pakistan to ensure peace and stability in the region.

She said, “The country’s political leadership shall have to take on board all the stakeholders and pursue an agenda which is politically inclusive and developmentally intensive to address the challenges confronting J&K internally and externally.”