This Article is From Jul 12, 2010

Kashmir: All-party delegation to meet PM

Kashmir: All-party delegation to meet PM
Srinagar: An all-party meet called by J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to find a way out of the crisis in the state has ended. A decision was reached in the meeting that a delegation will meet the Prime minister and ask for his political initiatives for Kashmir.

"The meeting decided that the all-party delegation shall call on the Prime Minister and invite his attention to various problems faced by the state. The last point that the meeting argued urged upon the government of India to strengthen the on-going peace process through internal and external dialogue," Omar said after the meeting.

The parties decided to ask the Centre to strengthen the peace process through internal and external dialogue. But importantly, they also decided that an independent inquiry should be held into the recent killings of civilians in clashes with security forces. (Read: All-party meet sans Mehbooba)

After the meeting , which lasted for four hours, there was an appeal to all political parties irrespective of their affiliation "to come forward and help in restoration of peace and normalcy in the state".

Apart from Bhim Singh-led Panthers Party, leaders of all the major political parties like the ruling National Conference, Congress, CPM and BJP, attended the conference.

However, the main Opposition leader and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti did not attend the meeting despite the Prime Minister requesting her.

Addressing the press on Sunday, the PDP president explained that she thanked the Prime Minister and the Home Minister for their calls and it was painful for her to tell the Prime Minister that she couldn't attend the meet because the state government was doing nothing on the ground. (Read: PDP turns down Omar's request)

Appealing to the Prime Minister to end the crackdown on civilians, she continued to blame the Omar Abdullah government for letting things deteriorate so far. (With PTI inputs)

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