Hold parleys with stakeholders willing to talk: Omar to Centre

Former J-K chief minister Omar Abdullah today asked the Centre to immediately hold parleys with all stakeholders who are willing to talk to bring an end to the political uncertainty and long lasting solution to Kashmir problem, which is a political issue and needs "practical and sustainable" solution.
"National Conference (NC) seeks an immediate engagement between New Delhi and all stakeholders in Kashmir willing to talk to the Centre for bringing an end to political uncertainty and to look for a lasting solution," he told party workers in Kishtwar today.
Terming Kashmir as a "political" issue that needs "practical and sustainable political" solution, the NC working president asked the central government to acknowledge the resentment and anguish in the Valley and "realise that there is an ocean of mistrust and anger that keeps snowballing into such agitations and mass unrest".

Referring to unrests in 2008, 2010 and 2016, he said it would be impossible to restore lasting peace in the Valley "unless the issue is resolved as per the satisfaction and sentiments of the people".
Expressing concerns over continued unrest in the Valley for past four months and the loss of young lives, Omar held Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti responsible for the prolonged political uncertainty and turmoil in the Valley.
"PDP had been accusing me for the 2010 uprising and tragic loss of lives when they were in the opposition, and now by the same logic of culpability she should own up the responsibility of over 90 deaths, blinding of hundreds of boys and girls and injuries to over 10,000 old, young and women," he said.

Alleging that the people of the Valley have only "been witnessing bullets and pellets" ever since PDP took the reins, he said "Where the slogan of 'Goli Se Nahi Boli Se' had vanished? What have you done for engaging all stakeholders in the dialogue process or facilitating New Delhi to talk to Pakistan."

Referring to the 'Agenda of Alliance' made between the BJP and PDP, Abdullah said "What happened to the promise of releasing political prisoners? Today, you have filled all jails with young boys and are issuing more PSA orders than at any time in the recent past".
He claimed that he along with the opposition leaders in J-K went to seek indulgence of the President, the Prime Minister and important leaders of various national political parties to put an end to "atrocities being committed upon the people."

Drawing a contrast between the PDP and the NC in their inherent political approaches, Abdullah said, during the 2010 unrest, PDP leaders went to New Delhi to instigate and motivate the central leadership for sabotaging and seeking the dismissal of his government rather than trying to work to restore peace and normalcy.
"On the contrary, we never sought the removal of the Chief Minster, a job to be performed by the people of this state in a democratic exercise - people who feel terribly let down by this dispensation," he added.