Kashmir unrest: Opposition disappointed at government response

A meeting of mainstream opposition parties on Wednesday expressed disappointment at the response of the central and the state governments to the prevailing law and order situation in Jammu and Kashmir .

Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah convened the meeting in Srinagar, which was attended by state president of the Congress party, G. A. Mir, Yusuf Tarigami of the CPI -M, Ghulam Hassan Mir of the Democratic Nationalist Party (DPN), Hakim Yaseen of Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) and Independent MLA, Engineer Rashid.

The opposition parties passed a resolution expressing deep condolences with the families of those who lost their lives in the ongoing violence.

The resolution demanded a detailed discussion on the current situation.

"It is unfortunate that rather than the initiation of a discussion coming from the government, it is the opposition parties that have initiated a discussion in both houses of the Parliament on more than one occasion.

"Now that the State Government has failed in fulfilling this responsibility at this juncture, we demand the Government calls a Special Session of the State Legislature without any further delay to discuss the current situation, its reasons and implications," a statement stated.

The opposition also demanded that "the use of pellet guns be immediately discontinued".

The unrest in the Valley has seen violent clashes between security forces and protesters, which erupted after security forces gunned rebel commander Burhan Wani on July 8. At least 65 civilians have been killed and thousands have been injured.

--IANS

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