Some protests in Kashmir Valley are orchestrated: Manmohan Singh
New Delhi : Expressing sadness at the loss of lives and turn of events in the Kashmir Valley, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday stressed that dialogue was the only way to lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir.
Singh once again reiterated the government?s willingness to sit for talks with anyone who abjures violence, while stating that some protests in the Valley were ?orchestrated?.
?I reiterate that we (the government) are ready to talk to anyone who renounces violence. The only way to lasting peace and prosperity in J&K is dialogue,? he said, addressing an all-party meet at his 7 Race Course residence here to discuss the Kashmir issue.
Pointing to presence of elements who instigate violence, Singh said, ?Some protests may be spontaneous, but one cannot deny that others are orchestrated by certain groups.?
He also expressed shock at seeing children joining the protests.
?I appeal to the people, especially the youth, to renounce violence.?
The prime minister also conveyed his sadness at the loss of lives and injuries to people in the current unrest.
He, however, added that the present atmosphere in the Valley was not conducive for talks and pledged complete support of the Centre towards the state government for preparing an amiable environment to initiate dialogue.
The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) had convened the all-party meet to evolve a consensus on the Jammu and Kashmir issue.
The Government has tried for maximum number of political parties’ participation in the meeting where the question of withdrawal of AFSPA or the Armed Forces (Special Power) Act will be discussed.
While the Congress wants the dilution or partial withdrawal of the AFSPA, which provides sweeping powers to the security personnel, some Opposition parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), want the act to be in force in the Kashmir Valley.
The Congress delegation in the meet is being led by party chief Sonia Gandhi, while the BJP president Nitin Gadkari and former deputy prime minister LK Advani are part of the BJP team.
Leaders of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley respectively, both of BJP, are also attending the meet.
J&K?s party in power National Conference, which wants partial withdrawal of the AFSPA, is being represented by Union minister Farooq Abdullah.
The state?s main Opposition party People?s Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti, who is also attending the meet, has maintained that dilution of the AFSPA cannot be a ?competing solution?.
At least 86 people have been killed in the Valley since mid-June when the unrest started following clashes between stone-pelting mobs and security forces.
Almost all major towns of the Valley were under curfew on Wednesday, while air services also remained suspended.