CPI (M) senior leader and MLA Kulgam, Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami Monday said that instead of elections, the government of India (GoI) should have initiated dialogue process to resolve the Kashmir issue.According to KNS Correspondent, addressing a presser here at his Gupkar residence, MLA Kulgam said, “The atmosphere in the Valley was not conducive for polls and at this point the GoI should have initiated dialogue process to resolve the Kashmir issue instead of holding polls here.”He said that the people are already alienated with the government and the GoI should have taken measures to eradicate such alienation by initiating dialogue process with all the stakeholders.Saying that the elections are not any alternative of resolving the Kashmir issue, Tarigami said, “Kashmir issue is a political issue and must be addressed politically. I believe the GoI should have taken steps to restore the confidence building measures in the Valley instead of going for elections,” Tarigami said.“I am not against the elections but the present situation was not favourable for holding elections in the Valley. Issuing notification for the holding of elections in present situation has resulted in the killings of civilians in Budgam district,” Tarigami said.He said that the GoI’s policy towards Kashmir has proved unsuccessful. “Pellet guns and bullets are not any solution but the dialogue is the only way to resolve this issue,” MLA Kulgam added.
While referring to the statement made by the PDP candidate for Anantnag parliament polls, Tassaduq Mufti, Tarigami said, “Almost every political part in the state had suggested the government regarding deferring the polls keeping in view of the present situation but the government continued with their decision of holding elections on time. Now, PDP, the party in the government has changed its face by calling for deferment of polls. I don’t understand why they are urging for the deferment of polls when they were ready to go for the elections in this situation.”Condemning the civilian killings in Budgam, the MLA Kulgam said, “It is unfortunate that the civilian killings are going unabated. The people of Kashmir are not animals. Probe must be initiated to identify the persons involved in the killings of Kashmiri civilians.”Urging all the political parties including mainstream and separatists to join hands on common grounds irrespective of their party agenda’s, Tarigami said, “When we all are seeking a dialogue between India and Pakistan then why can’t we (mainstream and separatists) sit together to talk over the common grounds so that we can jointly force the GoI to initiate the process to resolve the Kashmir issue.” (KNS)