Congress accuses BJP-PDP govt of failing to revive Kashmir from paralysis

New Delhi (India): The Congress on Sunday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti of failing to revive Kashmir from its current paralytic state .

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala maintained that the valley is on the boil for the past 51 days and no solution has been chalked out to combat the unrest in the region.

“Kashmir valley is now under curfew from past 51 days. Over 70 people have died, nearly 6000 people have been injured. And it was the first time on the 50th day that Modi ji found to meet his own alliance Chief Minister Mehbooba mufti ji. Modi ji also spoke on Kashmir from Madhya Pradesh on the 38th day that reflects the seriousness with which Modi government is dealing with the volatile situation in Kashmir,” said Surjewala.

“There were three things that Mehbooba ji said yesterday which were very startling. Firstly she said that the agenda between BJP and PDP has not been implemented. She also said that if Modi ji wants there will be no bloodshed in Kashmir, then why would Modi ji not want the bloodshed in Kashmir to stop. And thirdly she appealed to Pakistan to take care of and listen to the pain of youth in Kashmir but Modi ji says that he will not speak to Pakistan on Kashmir. So which one of the two voices is correct?,” he added.

Surjewala further asserted that as long as the BJP- PDP alliance continue to dither and speak in contradictory voices, the lasting peace and solution to Kashmir will not happen.

Emphasizing that if Prime Minister Modi will notice the problems of the valley and reach out to the Kashmiris the Congress leader said that the grand old party would welcome any solution to lasting peace and the will also become a part of all party delegation which will go to Kashmir and lend support to the government despite of the political differences.

Expressing regret and remorse over the loss of lives in the Kashmir Valley, Prime Minister Modi earlier today said that any life lost in the state, whether of any youth or any security personnel, is India’s loss, adding that those instigating young, innocent children will have to answer to them someday.

Addressing the nation during his address in the 23rd edition of his ‘Mann ki Baat’ programme, Prime Minister Modi said, “Any life lost in Kashmir, whether of any youth or any security personnel, is our own loss. Those who are trying to disrupt peace in Kashmir by instigating innocent young children, they will have to reply to these young children.”

The Prime Minister also said that all political parties need to put forward their views on the prevailing situation in the Kashmir Valley in one voice.

“‘Ekta’ (unity) and ‘Mamata’ (affection) was the crux of all interactions I had recently on Kashmir situation,” he said.

Prime Minister Modi had convened an-all party meet on August 12 to discuss the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir. He told attendees that Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir is also part of Jammu and Kashmir. The prime minister added that “there cannot be any compromise on national security, but we have to win the confidence of the people in Jammu and Kashmir.

Normal life in the Kashmir Valley remains paralysed as a curfew and a shutdown continued for the 51th consecutive day on Sunday. All educational institutions, shops, public transport and other businesses are closed since July 9.

The death toll in the valley has reached 67, as another youth succumbed to his injuries in clashes that broke out between security forces and the locals in Pulwama district on Friday. (ANI)