If Centre can talk to China, why not with people of Kashmir: PDP

Party holds first meet in Kashmir post 370 scrap

SRINAGAR: Peoples Democratic Party on Wednesday asked the government why is it "difficult" for it to engage in dialogue with the people of Kashmir when it can hold talks with China.
The party held its first meeting following the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status under Article 370 of the Constitution on August 5 last year and reaffirmed its pledge to continue fighting for the aspirations and rights of people of Jammu & Kashmir and resist by all democratic ways the onslaught by the central government.
The party emphasized that the constitutional fraud perpetrated on the people of J&K and the subsequent bulldozing of constitutional rights will always remain unacceptable and would be fought uncompromisingly.
The meeting convened by party's youth wing was presided over by Party Vice President A R Veeri and Party General Secretary G N Lone Hanjura and addresses by Muhammad Khurshid Alam, Party youth wing President Waheed ur Rehman Parra and Former legislator Aijaz Ahmad Mir, all of whom stepped out of their homes for the first time since they were detained on 5th August last year.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Parra said the party will continue to raise the voice of the people.
"This government claims to be a strong government and we accept it is. It likes to accept challenges," he said.
If the government can take part in the Afghan peace process and talk to China, "why is it difficult for you to engage with the people of Kashmir through dialogue and reconciliation", he asked.
India is holding talks with China at the diplomatic and the military level to defuse tensions along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh where troops of the neighbouring countries have been locked in a standoff since early May.
Para claimed there was an atmosphere of fear in Kashmir since August 5 last year.
"Those who speak up are detained. Even journalists who write stories are booked under the UAPA. There is an atmosphere of fear," he said.
“On one hand BJP is participating in dialogue with Taliban , talking reconciliation with PLA who have invaded Ladakh and discussing with Nagaland insurgents desperate constitution and Flag , but at the same time using anything but dialogue to deal with the mess created by them after illegal scrapping of special status if J&K. This is unacceptable,” the party said in a statement issued after the meeting.
Speaking in the meeting, Veeri said: “We reject undemocratic treatment imposed by ruling regime, which has hundreds of our youngsters unjustifiably held in jails, despite huge risks to their lives from the Covid-19 pandemic. Our voices have been ignored, our institutions erased. We cannot afford to remain silent any longer. We need to speak now to restore our dignity and take charge of our own destinies.”