Oppn parties from J-K to apprise President Mukherjee of Kashmir situation

Srinagar: Opposition parties from Jammu and Kashmir led by former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will call on President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday to apprise him of the situation in the Valley, which continues to remain under curfew since July 8. Omar, who held an all Opposition parties meeting earlier this week, will apprise the President about the continued difficulties being faced by the people because of continued curfew in the valley. He will be accompanied by Congress leaders led by state PCC chief G A Mir, CPM leader Mohammed Yusuf Tarigami, Independent MLA Hakeem Yasin and others. The delegation will demand a probe by a retired Supreme Court judge into allegations of excessive use of force by security personnel besides urging the Centre for holding a dialogue with all stakeholders. Omar and other Opposition parties were worried about youth getting killed and injured in security forces' firing, alleging the state and the central government "mishandled" the situation. "The first step is to admit and recognise the anger and then take steps to address it. So far that has not happened," Omar had said after the all-party meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 12. The all-party meeting happened because Parliament was in session and it was the Opposition's initiative that brought the issue twice for discussion, he had said. During the Opposition party meeting on August 17, a set of five recommendations were given which included that initiation of a meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders, judicial probe, immediate halt of unnecessary harrasment of people in areas which are peaceful and immediate ban on use of pellet guns. The meeting had also appealed to the people of the state and all stakeholders to continue safeguarding and upholding legacy of Jammu and Kashmir which has always been a beacon of communal harmony and religious tolerance at all costs.