Government committed to resolving Kashmir issue peacefully: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the government was committed to resolving the Kashmir issue peacefully under basic constitutional principles.

"We are open minded and our doors are always open. We are committed to find sustainable and peaceful solution to the issue of Kashmir in accordance with the basic principles of the Constitution," he said in his concluding remarks at the all-party meeting on Jammu and Kashmir.

The meeting, attended by opposition and ruling party MPs, was held to discuss ways of restoring normalcy in the valley. At least 56 people have been killed and thousands injured in clashes between security forces and protesters in the last five weeks of the Kashmir unrest.

Modi expressed sorrow over the deaths in the valley.

"No matter who dies, civilian or security personnel, we all feel sorrow for them. Their families have my full sympathies.

"I am pained by the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir. It is very painful that children are not able to attend the school, shopkeepers are suffering, and even government officers are not able to do any public-interest work," he said.

The Prime Minister also said the government was committed to providing medical help to those injured in the violence.

"We also want to establish peace in the valley so that the locals can lead normal lives, earn their livelihood, send their children to school and sleep peacefully," he added.

--IANS

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