Manmohan-led Congress panel concludes Kashmir visit

Delegations rue govt's failure in resuming dialogue, CBM

SRINAGAR: As Congress' policy planning group headed by former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh concluded its two-day visit to Kashmir on Sunday, the delegations which it met had urged the party to raise the issue of resolution of Kashmir issue while pointing out failure of BJP-led dispensation in carrying forward the dialogue process and Confidence Building Measures in valley.
The panel on J&K affairs on second day of its visit met 25 delegations and groups, with total 58 delegations and groups involving over 1200 people meeting the group during the two days stay before returning to New Delhi Sunday afternoon, State Congress president G A Mir said.
"It was a fruitful visit and the people in the valley responded because there was credibility as it was led by a former prime minister. The interactions...are the first indicator that people want peace and discussions," Mir said.
He said the delegations, groups and some individuals from different shades of the society of Kashmir met the group and apprised them of the ground situation and the reasons behind the prevailing unrest and alienation of the people arising out of the resentment of the mishandling of the situation by the present central and the state governments.
"They also gave them inputs of the feelings and aspirations of the people from different nook and corner of Kashmir Valley, especially the failures of the present dispensations and the betrayal of the mandate of the people by the ruling dispensation," he said.
"The BJP-PDP alliance is not able to implement the commitments made in the Agenda of Alliance," the delegations told the group.
"They also mentioned about various confidence building measures and initiatives taken during the UPA regime. They regretted that the present dispensation at the Centre and in the state have failed to carry forward that process," he said.
"Almost all the delegations called for evolving a consensus at the national level and debate the issue in Parliament," he added.
The delegations also referred to the various working groups and interlocutors recommendations including the Justice Sagheer Committee report and sought implementation of various recommendations as a way forward to restore the confidence of the people.
"The high level group has taken feedback and opinions of cross section of the society in Kashmir. Various issues ranging from dialogue on Kashmir to development were raised by the people and political parties who met the group. A comprehensive report will be prepared by the group and will be submitted to the party high Command for proper action," Mir told The News Now.
The Congress state president said the policy planning group would visit Ladakh by the end of this month or early next month.
He said, "The group will visit Ladakh region after Moharram."
The panel was formed in April this year after the situation in the valley worsened because of widespread violence by agitators during the Srinagar Lok Sabha bypolls.
Led by former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, the group comprises of senior Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ambika Soni, PCC president G A Mir, Nawang Rigzin Jora and Tariq Hameed Karra and Sham Lal Sharma.
The group met various delegations from Kashmir, including opposition parties, bar association, LoC trade delegation, minority delegation, fruit growers association, women's delegation, hotel and houseboat associations, tour and travel delegation, and panchayat delegation. Meeting separatist leaders was not part of the group's agenda.

Updated On 9/18/2017 11:15:55 AM