Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 24: A delegation of Pradesh Congress Committee, led by its President G.A. Mir, called on Governor N.N. Vohra at the Raj Bhavan here today.
The delegation briefed the Governor about its assessment of the prevailing unrest in the Valley. It suggested initiation of political dialogue process involving all stakeholders; review of Government policies for handling the existing situation and use of PSA only in justified and well proven cases. It stressed the need of a political solution being found for dealing with the Kashmir issue and urgent restoration of peace and normalcy in the State.
Stressing the crucial importance of peace being urgently restored in the State, the Governor urged the members of the Congress Party to continue with their endeavours in this regard.
The delegation comprised Peerzada Mohd. Syed, Taj Mohi-U-Din, former Ministers; Haji Ab. Rashid Dar, G.N. Monga, Usman Majed, Mohammad. Amin Bhat, Gulzar Ahmad Wani, Legislators; Krishan K. Amla and Farooq Andrabi.
Meanwhile, PCC sought meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders including separatists to end unrest in Kashmir and demanded an enquiry into the happenings during the unrest by a retired Supreme Court Judge.
Addressing a press conference, JKPCC president, Ghulam Ahmad Mir expressed concern over the three-and-a-half month long situation across Kashmir Valley. “About 95 people have been killed, around 250 people have been permanently disabled, 14000 to 15000 people have been injured, then FIRs (First Information Reports) have been registered against more than 7000 people, out of which many are languishing in jails. Around 550 people have been booked under PSA. Now, the Government is acting against its own machinery by sacking employees,” he said.
Mir said the people of the Valley are feeling uncertainty and the alienation is increasing. “on one hand the situation in the whole Valley is showing no signs of ending, but on the other hand the PDP-BJP Government remains unmoved,” he alleged. The State Congress chief said, “we had hopes that the Government especially the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti will take some steps on her own so as to provide solace to the people”.
Citing Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s recent remarks on revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFPSA), he accused the ruling PDP of ‘betraying’ people of Valley and claimed that the party has ‘habit of making u-turns’. “Now, the Chief Minister herself has said that AFSPA cannot be revoked even as it sought votes on that from the people. They have a habit of making u-turns. Nothing has been done for the return of the power projects,” he said.
With regard to ongoing controversy in Kashmir valley over the holding of Board Examinations, the State Congress president said they are not against conducting of examinations. But, he said, it is the inherited duty of the Government to create an atmosphere first for the children to come out and reach their schools before their exams are conducted.
Seeking a probe into the allegations leveled against terminated employees of Kashmir valley, Mir said: “We want inquiry into the allegations against the employees. They have been terminated without any inquiry. Why embarrass them and take away their livelihood without an inquiry.”
The JKPCC president reiterated his party’s demand of talks with separatists who are spearheading ongoing agitation in Kashmir valley.
“Let a dialogue process be initiated with open mind… Let a group or forum be created for suggestions or dialogue where everyone can put forward his viewpoint,” the JKPCC president added. Mir demanded that a retired Supreme Court justice be appointed to inquire into the situation during the last three-and-a-half month to fix the responsibility and see what steps went wrong and who took them.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
