Srinagar, Sep 29 (KNS): Member of Parliament and senior Congress leader, Dr Karan Singh’s four day visit to Valley concluded today during which he met several mainstream politicians.
Singh met various mainstream political party leaders including Governor N N Vohra, former chief minister, Omar Abdullah, senior Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) leaders headed by Peerzada Muhammad Syed, Taj Mohiudin, Prof. Saif-u-Din Soz, Abdul Rashid Dar, PDF delegation headed by Hakim Yaseen, CPI (M) leader, Mohd Yousuf Tarigami and many other prominent political figure and some Civil Society groups.
Sources told KNS that a wide spectrum of interactions over the political situations and day to day circumstances were carried out between the leaders.
“I benefited greatly from my interactions and took careful note for the sentiments that were expresses. The common theme was deep concern regarding article 35-A, which is under consideration of the Supreme Court,” Singh said.
He said that while senior government authorities have publically assured that Kashmir’s sentiments in this matter will be respected, the fact is that the final say will be of the SC and the Government of India (GoI) has not so far filed any affidavit.
“There was a demand that the union government must put up a strong defence of the article before the court in discussions regarding the present political situation in the valley, almost all the people I met suggested that it was important to open talks with the Hurriyat leaders, although it seems that they have not yet publically expressed their willingness to talk with government of India representatives,” he said, adding that “in my view, talks are to be welcomed, whether at the national, state or regional level, whether at track one or track two, and some urgent initiatives need to be taken to start the process.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel”
He said that there was general dismay that for the second year in a row the tourist influx into the valley has virtually collapsed. “This has deprived Kashmir of thousands of crores of rupees income as well as extensive employment, spread across all sections of society from five-star hotels to the Shikara and pony workers. This is a cruel blow to the economy of the valley and one can only hope that at least from next year all elements to have genuine sentiments for the welfare of the Kashmiri people will ensure that peace and stability is restored so that national and international tourism can be resumed,” he said.
Member of Parliament further added that also any disruption of the education structure is a major disservice, which should be eschewed.
Meanwhile, he said that “much to my distress, to once beautiful Dal Lake continues to visibly deteriorate every year.”
“I did mention during my meetings that the sentiments of Jammu and Ladakh have to be factored in when we address all the current issues. Unfortunately, the unanimous demand for declaring Maharaja Hari Singh’s birth day as a public holiday, as is Sheikh Abdullah’s, fell on deaf ears. This is a tri-regional state and all sentiments must always be taken into account. I will visit Jammu next month,” he said. (KNS)