Urging upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fulfil his August 22 commitment with regard to Kashmir problem CPI (M) leader Muhammad Yusuf Tarigami Monday said that people of Jammu and Kashmir will continue to suffer till the issue is not resolved. “During our meeting with Prime Minister on 22 August he had assured us that a permanent solution will be found to the vexed Kashmir problem. CPIM appeals him to fulfil his commitment,” he said.Expressing serious concern over torching of educational institutions in Kashmir, he said that Kashmir will have a bleak future if children are deprived of education.While addressing media persons at his Gupkar residence here, he said that the revolutionary Quit Kashmir movement had given the majority community right to education and education was made free up to University level.“Education is first and foremost necessary for one and all. I am of the form belief that education should not only be fundamental right but should be made compulsory for all. I have never hesitated to speak against the atrocities and brutalities of the administration,” he said. “But today, my heart goes out. I am worried about the education of our children. Without mixing nay politics with the facts, I want to appeal all mainstream and Hurriyat leaders, academicians, teachers, scholars, religious leaders and other intellectuals who can play an influential role. I appeal them all to come forward encouraging re-opening of schools for the interest of society at large,” he added.
“The continued Indo-Pak border tension has resulted in killings, destruction of residential houses and large scale displacement of population, especially those living near the LoC and International Border. Indian and Pakistani leadership should respect the 2003 truce and stop sacrificing the innocent people on both sides of the border for narrow political domestic considerations,” he said.“The political leadership of both the countries should come out of their narrow cocoons and see reason in the face. It is in the interest of lasting peace in the region, a process of credible dialogue must be initiated. Neither war hysteria nor jingoism can serve the interest of the region as a whole. De-escalating tensions and replacing heated rhetoric with a productive discourse is the demand of the day,” he added.He said that the present crisis has assumed tragic dimensions and the sufferings of the common people are likely to get worse in future. “Any government cannot afford to sit on the wall and transfer its responsibilities to police and forces. The first and foremost thing, the government should and could do is to recognize the political essence of the ongoing unrest and explore all possible ways and means to initiate a credible process to resolve it without any further dilly-dallying,” he said.
“For this to materialize there is no alternative to an immediate structured and sustainable dialogue with all the stakeholders. There should be no shying away from those who may have ideas diametrically opposite to the official stand on it. At this point of time, there may not be any out of box solution too; but the sincere and sustained dialogue could open new vistas and it is quite possible that the parties may reach to a mutually acceptable way forward or resolve to work it out in a peaceful atmosphere,” he saidHe said that history is witness that neither war, covert or overt, nor any form of violent means has proved of any help in the resolution of the issue and has instead complicated it further and brought untold miseries to hapless people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially the people living in Kashmir valley and all the border areas of the State. “As such dialogue alone is the way out and any meaningful engagement among the stakeholders should be unconditional. It is also imperative for the government to create a congenial atmosphere for the dialogue and this involves an end to all repressive measures and dealing with the protesting youth with utmost restraint,” he added.
He said that while continuing opposition to every form of repression, the mainstream and separatist political platforms need to come forward and play a constructive role, atleast in alleviating the sufferings of the helpless masses. “Can the political groups of all shades exonerate themselves from the responsibility of safeguarding the future of our young generation? Does the burning of schools and depriving our children of education in any way help the interests of the people of Kashmir? The continued closure of schools and destruction of infrastructure can only benefit those vested interests who want to disarm our youth from shaping their future. Can't all of us without indulging in blame game contribute a little towards the overall welfare of our younger generation, whose future is at the brink of disaster?,” he asked.He said that the government must stop indiscriminate arrests and repressive measures and take concrete steps without any further delay for rehabilitation of the victims of state violence, besides compensation under SRO 43 to all those civilians killed & injured. “Immediate steps must be taken to release those arrested particularly juveniles and students, enabling them to pursue their studies. Cases of those arrested under draconian Public Safety Act (PSA) must be reviewed for their immediate release,” he said. (CNS)