New Delhi, Jul 29 (KNS): Stating that the political space for mainstream parties has shrunk in Kashmir after the PDP and BJP formed government, Congress said that the situation in the valley is "reaching to the point of no return".
"The space for mainstream political parties has got squeezed due to the worsening security situation in Kashmir in the last nearly two years after PDP and BJP formed the unholy alliance. From a situation where 80% people would participate in elections, we have reached the stage where only 7% people voted amid huge security measures and protests by people," senior Congress leader and MLC, G N Monga said while addressing a two-day conference, ‘Understanding Kashmir: A Composite Dialogue on Peace, Stability and the Way Forward’ organised by a New Delhi-based socio-economic consulting company, BRIEF, in Delhi.
"This is of great concern and such a situation needs to be changed. The present situation is worst and if it is not addressed politically, there will be no point of return from it," Monga said.
He said that Kashmir has seen protests and hartals in 2010 also but the ruling political parties then restored the situation and regained the political ground in the valley.
"Despite the situation was worst in 2010, the political ground was regained by NC-Congress coalition and people voted immensely in following parliamentary and assembly elections.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelBut the present ruling government in Kashmir has failed to restore political space and has further deteriorated it," he said.
Several political leaders from Kashmir including Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, former CM and NC Working president, Omar Abdullah attended and addressed the Conference.
The Congress leader batted for political resolution of Kashmir issue and said that the peace process with Pakistan and Kashmiris should be restarted.
He said that former PM and Congress veteran Dr Manmohan Singh and former Pakistan President had laid out a road map for peace process.
"The present political dispensation in the country should restart from the roadmap and restart the peace process on Kashmir," the Congress leader said.
He said that dialogue should be held with Pakistan and simultaneously with Kashmiri separatists so that peace returns to Kashmir.
“The family head should take notice of the situation around and inside his home and address the issues of the members, rather than allowing neighbours to fish in troubled family matters,” Monga said, metaphorically addressing the PM of the country to start peace process with Pakistan and resolve the issues in Kashmir. (KNS)