With Kashmir on the boil over the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani, the Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Monday said there can be no compromise on matters relating to national security even a
With Kashmir on the boil over the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani, the Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Monday said there can be no compromise on matters relating to national security even as she voiced anguish over the loss of lives in the clashes. On the other hand, the CPI(M) urged the Centre and the J&K government to call an all-party meeting to discuss efforts to end the “growing strife” in the Valley.
Mrs Gandhi also noted that the political process has made many gains in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly over the last two decades and “these must not get lost.” In a statement, she maintained that there can be “no compromise” on matters relating to national security and that terrorism must be dealt with firmly.
“Even so, the death of so many of our citizens and attack on security forces is very painful”, she said. In an appeal to people of the Valley, she asked them to allow political parties find “durable and enduring ways of fulfilling their aspirations meaningfully in a peaceful and democratic manner.”
Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad, also voiced concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in the Valley where, he said, “irreparable collateral damage” has taken place. A former J&K CM, Azad said the need of the hour is to ensure that law and order is restored at the earliest without any further loss of lives. He expressed grief over the loss of lives in the violence and also wished speedy recovery for more than 200 civilians and security personnel injured in the violence.
Responding to a question whether the government should call an all party meeting on the Kashmir issue, the Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said it would be good if it calls one.
The CPI(M) Polit Bureau said “Both the central and the J&K government in which BJP is a coalition partner, must initiate a dialogue with all political forces and groups to end the growing strife in the state and restore peace and normalcy. At the central level, the Home Minister must convene an all-party meeting immediately,”
“Deteriorating situation in Kashmir is a cause of grave concern. Govt must start political process immediately (sic),” party General Secretary Sitaram Yechury tweeted. Terming the incidents in Kashmir as “condemnable”, it said the administration should desist from using “excessive” force against the protesters and demanded that those responsible must be identified and punished.
“While the activities of extremist groups need to be checked to maintain law and order and civilian rule, it cannot be an excuse for the use of force against stone-throwing protesters,” it said.
