Dialogue only way to solve Kashmir issue: Tarigami

Senior CPI(M) leader and Kulgam MLA M Y Tarigami today said holding talks with voices of dissent is the essence of democracy and the only answer to end the unrest in Kashmir.
The best option recognised by the civilised world to settle disputes is the process of dialogue as violence only leads to death and destruction, he said.
Even those countries which have been on the war path with each other, finally settle the issues only when they sit on negotiations table, he added.
Commenting over the Centre's assertions in Supreme Court that it cannot hold dialogue with the separatists in Kashmir, Tarigami said holding talks with the voices of dissent is the essence of democracy.

He also expressed surprise over the stand taken by the attorney general the apex court, and New Delhi's stand that it will talk only when there is peace is similar to a doctor asking a patient to get well first and then he will treat him.
"Making excuses and running away from dialogue process should not be the trait of a state. Hearing the voices of dissent and holding dialogue with them is the only option," he said.
"Despite wars and violence in different forms, the (Kashmir) issue has remained lingering on since the last 70 years and sufferings of people have increased manifold. Death and destruction has virtually taken over and the saner voices have become the causality," he added.

The Kulgam legislator said the CPI(M) has been consistently advocating initiating of a credible process of dialogue with all the stake-holders including those outside the democratic frame.