Yashwant Sinha for dialogue with all stakeholders to restrain Kashmir unrest

Asserting that the Jammu and Kashmir issue is more of a political one, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former union minister Yashwant Sinha on Sunday the Mehbooba Mufti-led coalition government should initiate dialogue with all stakeholders to maintain peace in the region.

"It is a political issue and not any economic or social issue or religious issue. It is in the BJP-PDP's agenda to maintain dialogue. So, I think dialogue should be initiated with all stakeholders in Kashmir," he said.

Sinha asserted that people of Kashmir feel that India has neglected their grievances since long, adding this makes them feel that they are not a part of the country.

"This is the time to act on political issue as India has lost time in the past and it is critical that in future we don't end up repeating that," he added while emphasizing that the people of the state are angry that their concerns have not been addressed even after 70 years of independence.

A five-member team, which visited Kashmir twice under his leadership after the unrest in the valley, recommended that dialogue should be held with all stakeholders including separatists.

As per the report released yesterday, the delegation also sought improvement in the human rights situation.

"As for an India-Pakistan dialogue, it is contingent upon several other issues,'' said the report, which also called for urgent counselling for minors being released from detentions.

The report further noted the people of Kashmir believe there is a "crisis of acknowledgement" of the problem with India.