The government declared to go ahead with measures and initiatives to reach out to Kashmiris on the basis of deliberations at an all-party meeting here on Wednesday. It also pledged to evolve further response based on the feedback from the all-party delegation the meeting decided to send to Srinagar to meet "all sections of the people and gather all shades of opinion."

The meeting, however, did not throw up any immediate solution to the ongoing protests and violence in the valley for the past three months that is seen as a strategic shift from the armed struggle witnessed since 1990 with Pakistan-sponsored militants. Everyone agreed that all steps be taken that end the violence.

An official release summing up over five-hour long discussions in the PM's residence said various party leaders agreed that "the constitution of India provides ample scope to accommodate any legitimate political demand through dialogue, civil discourse and peaceful negotiations."

It was the unanimous response to prime minister Manmohan Singh's offer in his opening remarks for "dialogue with anybody or any group that does not espouse or practice violence." Home Minister P Chidambaram put it in further focus, saying "within constitution, we will do all to honour the Kashmiris' aspirations."

BJP RESERVATION

Though the government did not broach the issue of amendments in the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) or its revocation from some areas, the Bhartiya Janata Party and Shiv Sena made it clear that they were opposed to any dilution of the Act that weakens the Army and the central forces in handling situation in the valley.

The BJP delegation to the meeting comprised Lal Krishna Advani, party president Nitin Gadkari, Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley. Party spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad assured a "constructive cooperation" to any dialogue held within the framework of the Indian Constitution and said the BJP will join the all-party delegation going to Srinagar.

MEHBOOBA STAND

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the main opposition in J&K that was so far boycotting the government-sponsored meetings in Srinagar and Delhi for resolving the tangle, came on board with its president Mehbooba Mufti attending the meeting and demanding an unconditional dialogue, with neither side slapping any conditions, but after release of all arrested youths and stoppage of the crackdowns by the security forces.

She also made it clear that "cosmetic changes" in AFSPA will not meet the aspirations of Kashmiris, wanting real and concrete steps. She told reporters AFSPA was discussed in the meeting and it is now for the government to take decision. She said she appealed to all assembled leaders to rise above political interests, look at the Kashmir problem from humanitarian angle and not make a prestige issue in yielding to justified demands. Kashmir has been turned into a jail and people are being killed mercilessly, she added.

Mehbooba and J&K PCC chief Saifuddin Soz sitting side by side at the meeting and seen exchanging views time and again sent a clear signal of a new rapprochement between their parties posing trouble for the National Conference (NC) of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. His father Dr Farooq Abdullah, who attended the meeting with NC MP Mohd Shafiq, however, said he was "not disappointed" from what transpired in the meeting and that he was happy that the PM priased Omar's initiatives in tackling the situation.

SONIA RECIPE

Sonia Gandhi stressed that everyone should ask why the Kashmiri youths are in anger and suggested that all should be "magnanimous and mature in our approach" in addressing the Kashmiri youths' legitimate aspirations. The problem should be solved setting aside ideological and political differences, she added.

Read PM's Opening Remarks at the all Party Meeting on J&K

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PM tries to apply healing balm for Kashmiris

But keeps mum on any changes in armed forces' powers

For the second time in three days, prime minister Manmohan Singh remained mum on the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and Disturbed Areas Act even as he tried to apply a healing balm to the Kashmiris hit by unending violence at an all-party meeting convened here on Wednesday to find a way forward. He, however, rolled out no relief package let it be construed bowing to the violence.

Deviating from the government's longstanding position to hold talks only under the parameters of the Indian constitution, Manmohan Singh put stoppage of violence as the only condition for dialogue as he said "we are ready for dialogue with anybody or any group that does not espouse or practice violence."

The meeting began with his call for a minute's silence to pay respect to all those who lost their lives in the recent violence in Jammu and Kashmir and wish early recovery to those suffering injuries. He admitted that he was "shocked and distressed to see young men and women - even children - joining the protests on the streets," some impulsive or spontaneous, others "orchestrated by certain groups".

In his opening remarks, the PM talked of "sadness over the loss of lives, sadness over the injuries suffered by the people, police and security personnel, sadness over the huge disruption in the daily lives of the common man and the financial losses suffered by hardworking ordinary people like tour operators, apple farmers, daily wage earners and houseboat owners."

He said it was indeed tragic that "some of our people have forsaken" the path of dialogue and discussion, the only path for lasting peace and prosperity in the state. "We have to talk to each other. And those who have grievances against the government have to talk to the administration.  But it is also true that meaningful dialogue can happen only in an atmosphere free from violence and confrontation."

Reiterating appeal to the Kashmir people, especially the youth, to eschew violence, he said the state government has been told to restore peace and public order in order to create conditions congenial to a dialogue process.  The Central Government will provide all possible assistance in this task, he said.

PTI reported

Kashmir violence must end before talks: PM

Distressed over the events in Jammu and Kashmir, prime minister Manmohan Singh today said the government was willing to talk to anybody or any group but asserted that it could not happen till the end of violence, some of which is "orchestrated by certain groups".

Addressing an all-party meeting on the volatile situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Singh underlined that dialogue and discussion is the "only path for lasting peace and prosperity" in the state and those having grievancse against the government "have to talk to the administration".

Appealing for peace, he expressed sadness over the loss of lives and injuries suffered by the people, the police and security personnel besides "huge disruption" in the daily lives of the common man and the financial losses suffered by various sections of the society in the state.

"I am sure all of us share a deep sense of distress over the unfortunate sequence of events, during and after the Eid, particularly in the context of a reported act by a misguided person thousands of miles away," Singh said, in an apparent reference to the alleged incident of desecration of Holy Quran by a person in the US.

"We have to talk to each other...But it is also true that meaningful dialogue can happen only in an atmosphere free from violence and confrontation. Discussions can take place only if we have calm and public order," he emphasised.

The meeting, attended by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, top BJP leaders L K Advani, Nitin Gadkari, Sushma Swaraj, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah and leaders from various other parties, has been convened to discuss steps to address the situation in the state.

The Prime Minister noted that the Central and the state governments had already appealed to the people of the state, especially the youth, to eschew violence. "I reiterate that appeal," he said.

"We are ready for dialogue with anybody or any group that does not espouse or practice violence," Singh said.

"It is indeed tragic that some of our people have foresaken this path (of dialogue) during the recent days," he said at the meeting called in the wake of three-month long cycle of violence in which over 80 people have lost their lives.

Expressing shock and distress over the fact that men, women and even children have been joining the protests on the streets of Kashmir, Singh said, "while some of these protests may have been impulsive or spontaneous, it cannot be denied that some incidents were orchestrated by certain groups."

He said the developments of the last three months "must persuade us to reflect and deliberate on the way forward."

The Prime Minister said the Centre would provide all possible assistance to the state to restore peace and public order to create conditions congenial for a dialogue process.

Noting that over the past few weeks, several leaders from across political spectrum have spoken or written to him on issues concerning the state, Singh said he had convened the meeting to "seek guidance" from various political parties on the "complex issue that we face in Jammu and Kashmir today".

The meeting is expected to seek consensus on the various initiatives that the government could take to restore peace and normalcy in the state.
 

Initial report

The only path for lasting peace and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir is that of dialogue and discussion, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said an at all-party meet here on Wednesday.

"We are ready for dialogue with anybody or any group that does not espouse or practice violence," the PM said.

"Those having grievances against the government have to talk to the administration but discussions can take place in an atmosphere free from violence and confrontation," he added.

"I was shocked and distressed to see young men, women even children joining protests in Kashmir," he said, adding that: "Some incidents were orchestrated by certain groups."