‘Govt must initiate dialogue to bring peace’
Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Srinagar Oct 19 (KINS): Senior Congress leader and former union minister Saifuddin Soz said that the government of India should hold dialogue to bring peace in Kashmir.
“Congress is a secular and democratic party. We are waiting to open a dialogue. There is nothing wrong with talking to people for the betterment of Kashmir. But New Delhi is not even talking to mainstream politicians of Jammu and Kashmir. Even during APM, there was no discussion but leaders were only making an address and the meeting did not give any outcome,” Soz told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).
“I even have been misquoted by a media house. I have been saying that dialogue should be held with all people and I am not supporting any form of violence. Pakistan is your neighbor so we have to talk to them. People want to live peacefully here. All want to stop bloodshed in Kashmir,” he said.
The veteran Congress leader also took on the Narendra Modi-led government over abrogation of Article 370. “Abrogation of Article 370 was wrong. The Modi government did not benefit the nation by this decision. Tell me one benefit with abrogation of Article 370. Everyone, like labourers and shopkeepers, are against this decision. Government is now scaring people only through filing wrong cases,” he added.
He said the Congress party was ready to participate in assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. “People want an elected government here,” he added.
He said all civilian killings are condemnable. “Kashmiris won’t tolerate these killings and are unacceptable. We condemn all forms of violence. These incidents are against humanity.”
There is palpable fear in Kashmir following the recent civilian killings. At least 11 civilians have been killed in Kashmir so far. Among them five were non-local labourers. The other six were locals of Jammu and Kashmir from Muslim, Hindu and Sikh community.
He said poor labourers are coming from various parts of the country to earn their livelihood. “Killing these people is against humanity. These things are not acceptable in any religion,” the former union minister said.
He also took on the administration for failing to stop the killings of civilians. “I was told the administration is working to stop these killings. But nothing is being done on the ground to stop such killings. We all have to be united to save innocent lives. Strict action should be taken against those who are behind these killings. Kashmiris are united against these killings. Those who are killing innocent people, they have no humanity left,” he added.
The recent civilian killings have created a fear among people here. (KINS)
