Tarigami hails efforts to hold national conclave on Kashmir

CPI-M MLA from Kulgam M Y Tarigami today welcomed the efforts by some political and civil society groups to hold a national conclave on Kashmir, saying these were imperative in the backdrop of "sufferings and miseries" being faced by the people of the state.
He said, in a statement, that the situation in Kashmir continues to worsen and there seems to be no genuine effort on the part of the present Indian establishment to address the basic and concrete issues, responsible for the present unrest.
"The secular democrats, intelligentsia - broadminded thinkers and peace lovers, need to come out of slumber and raise their voice against the state negligence and negative complacency vis-a-vis Kashmir," he said.

In an apparent reference to the conclave on Kashmir, he said, "We welcome the efforts by some political and civil society groups, as also by some individual intellectuals to identify the main causes of the present turmoil and to suggest ways and means to address the underlying issues, including various types of grievances expressed by the people."
BJP leader Yashwant Sinha and JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav have reportedly planned a national conclave on Kashmir in the national capital this month as part of peace efforts in the Valley.
Former prime minister Manmohan Singh, who also heads a policy planning group of the Congress on Jammu and Kashmir, CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury and D Raja of the CPI have also been roped in and had reportedly favoured the conclave.

"It is hoped that such efforts will continue consistently and seriously across the country and will help in delineating a realistic way forward in the resolution of the Kashmir tangle without further dilly dallying," Tarigami said, adding that this would also help in lessening the ever increasing huge isolation and alienation of the masses.

Terming Kashmir as a "political" issue, he said it needs to be dealt with politically.
"Taking a narrow view of the situation and resorting to unbridled use of force, including crackdowns, search operations, firing by pellet guns and tear gas shells will not help in restoration of normalcy," he said.

Tarigami also said that the country's image was at stake if Kashmir continues to bleed.