‘Centre addressing a political problem with military means’

Srinagar: CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Monday said that the Central government is looking at J&K with the prism of security forces only. He said Kashmir is a political problem which ought to be addressed to through dialogue with all stakeholders. “Modi government tackles Kashmir through military means only,” he said while speaking at the opening session of a two-day conference of the party here.

He said Kashmir is crown of India and to safeguard it is the duty of every Indian. “If crown has any problem, then it is the problem of the whole country. We have been saying it within and outside the Parliament,” he said.

Mr Yechury alleged that PDP-BJP government in J&K is “biggest contradiction”. He reiterated, “Ever since Modi government took over, Kashmir is being tackled through military means only”.

He said, “I came here twice as a member of Parliamentary delegation. First time it was when UPA-II was in power. But the recommendations of the interlocutors were never implemented. Second time, Home Minister Rajnath Singh led a Parliamentary delegation to Kashmir. When we returned to Delhi, it was discussed that the solution of Kashmir can be achieved through political process and not only through law and order. But ever since, not a single forward step was taken. Ban on pellet guns was raised in the Parliament and Home Minister made a statement, but later he retracted. NSAs of India and Pakistan are meeting in third country, but in Parliament, the government says it can’t hold dialogue with Pakistan.

He asserted that Kashmir is a political problem and till talks are not held with all the stakeholders in the state and with Pakistan, this issue cannot be resolved.