Oppn parties' meet passes 4 resolutions

A meeting of opposition parties today passed four resolutions, expressing disappointment over the handling of the unrest in Kashmir by the Centre and state government and pressing for initiation of dialogue.
"We express grave concern and grief over the prevailing situation in the state and express our heartfelt condolences with the families of those who have lost their lives and also express our solidarity with thousands of those who have sustained serious injuries," said a joint statement issued by the opposition parties.
National Conference, Congress, CPI(M), Peoples Demoracratic Front, Demoratic Nationalist Party and Awami Ittehad party participated in the meeting convened by former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at his residence.

"We express our deep disappointment and displeasure at the response of both the central and the state government which stems from their insensitivity towards the suffering and sentiments of the people of the state," the statement read.
It said a detailed discussion on the current situation is required and imperative.
"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.

"We are grateful to those leaders and parties that have expressed their solidarity and sympathy with the people of the State in the prevailing situation and also voiced their concerns and suggestions," the statement said.

It would have been in the fitness of things had the state government called a special session of the state legislature to discuss the prevailing situation in the state, it read.
"Now that the state government has failed in fulfilling this responsibility at this crucial 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," the opposition parties added.
Given that the issue in Kashmir is largely of political nature, the opposition parties recommended that the central government initiate a meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders.

"On more than on occasion, the Chief Minister of J&K has accepted that there has been an excessive use of forces against civilians, including on the instance of her speech on the 15th of August.
"We demand a judicial probe by a retired judge of the honourable Supreme Court is immediately ordered to probe the excessive use of force on civilians and fix responsibility for the same," they said.