Initiate dialogue with all stakeholders to restore peace in Kashmir: Yashwant Sinha tells Centre

In a bid to restore peace in Jammu and Kashmir, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Yashwant Sinha urged the Centre to engage with all the stake holders for dialogue. "In our report we registered grievances of people in Jammu and Kashmir, based on that we have also given a few suggestions to the government," he said.

"In terms of agenda of alliance (between PDP and BJP), dialogue process must be initiated with all stakeholders so that peace can be restored," he added.

Sinha led a delegation to Jammu and Kashmir between 25-27 October. During the visit, Sinha and his team met with locals, stake holders among others to discuss the problems faced by them.

Kashmir has been on the boil since 9 July, a day after Burhan Wani, the Hizbul Mujahideen commander was killed in an encounter by the security forces.

Sinha stated in his report that the people are distressed by use of excessive force. They pointed out that the use of pellet guns has particularly hurt them. They further point out that such force has not been used anywhere else in the country. Further the people have pointed out that the Kashmir issue being seen as Hindu vs Muslim. They also said that the administration appears to be divided between Jammu and Kashmir.

"Kashmiris believe that today Indian politics has taken such a turn that there is no willingness to listen to even demands for autonomy. Today, (the) Kashmir issue is being seen as Hindu versus Muslim, and governance seen as Jammu versus Kashmir," the group said in a six-page report, submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh Tuesday.

The report by the Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation is based on the visit by concerned citizens "not sponsored by anyone" between 25-27 October.

A copy of the report has been sent to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, and the group has asked the PDP-BJP government in the state to start the process of reopening schools and, as a precursor to this, release all first-time offenders, schoolchildren and minors arrested under the Public Safety Act.

--ANI