Keep us in the loop on Kashmir: Oppn to govt

Opposition leaders led by LK Advani expressed concern in the Lok Sabha over the unrest in Kashmir and urged the Centre to acknowledge that the situation is taking a “serious turn” .

Opposition leaders led by LK Advani expressed concern in the Lok Sabha over the unrest in Kashmir and urged the Centre to acknowledge that the situation is taking a “serious turn”. Advani and other leaders, including JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav, SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and CPI(M) leader Basudeb Acharia, impressed upon the government to act fast to address the situation.

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Home Minister P. Chidambaram said the government shared their concerns and added that discussions would be held with CM Omar Abdullah.

“Jammu and Kashmir is a very sensitive state... Over the last few days, situation (in Kashmir) has taken a serious turn.”

Advani said, “Violence and anarchy are just the symptoms... What is the government doing? Home minister should tell us.”

Sharad Yadav wanted the government to take the Opposition into confidence. “The entire country is worried over the situation in the Valley,” he said.

Acharia described the situation in Kashmir as “very grave” and said the cause was “complete alienation” of the people of the Valley. He made a strong plea for initiation of dialogue by the Centre as well as the state, arguing that the people of the Valley had “lost faith”.

2-pronged approach

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi has urged the J&K government to use a two-pronged strategy to deal with the upsurge of violence in the state.

“I understand there are elements with ulterior motives that were instigating these attacks. These elements must be identified and brought to book. At the same time, there should be a continued push on the development agenda,” she said in the party’s mouthpiece, Congress Sandesh.