No dialogue; stern action needed to end Kashmir unrest, says defence expert

NEW DELHI: Downplaying the idea that the unrest in the Kashmir Valley requires a political solution, defence expert MM Khajuria said Pakistan and terrorist organisations brewing it are responsible for the ruckus and should be dealt with sternly.

Khajuria squarely blames Pakistan for the Kashmir unrest. PTI

New Delhi, August 23

Downplaying the idea that the unrest in the Kashmir Valley is a ‘political problem’ and requires a political solution through dialogue, defence expert MM Khajuria on Tuesday said Pakistan and terrorist organisations brewing it are responsible for the ruckus and should be dealt with sternly.

Khajuria told ANI, “The leaders say that the Kashmir unrest is a political problem and can only be solved through dialogue. I cannot understand how this is a political problem. Whatever is happening in Kashmir, Pakistan, LeT and the rest of the terrorist organisations are responsible for this. All of it is very well organised, nothing is spontaneous. I believe there is no space for dialogue with these people who have created a ruckus in Kashmir, they have to be dealt with sternly.”

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Khajuria was speaking a day after an opposition delegation from Jammu and Kashmir, which was led by former chief minister Omar Abdullah of the National Conference, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and apprised him of the prevailing situation in the state following the killing of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8.

CPM MLA Mohammed Yusuf Tarigami, state Congress president GA Mir, senior leaders of National Conference and some Independent MLAs were the other members of the delegation.

As per reports, the delegation requested the Prime Minister to impress upon the PDP-BJP state government of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to stop dealing with the situation administratively, as it was their contention that this is causing public disaffection, especially among the youth.

The delegation also underscored the need to initiate a dialogue with all stakeholders to bring an end to the unrest.

The delegation had met President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday and sought a political solution. They also submitted a memorandum to the President.

They also met Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and apprised him of the restive situation in the valley. ANI