Opposition National Conference on Thursday staged a dharna outside the Civil Secretariat here to protest against the continued use of pellet guns and cycle of violence in Kashmir.Led by senior leader and MLA Khanyar Ali Muhammad Sagar, the protesters staged a dharna on the road outside the secretariat to press for an end to cycle of violence in Kashmir.“We wanted to stage an hour-long dharna here. The government has been maintaining that pellet guns would be banned. That has not been done and another youth was martyred in Nadihal, Rafiabad yesterday,” said Sagar.
He warned the Central and state governments of deterioration in Kashmir situation if killings were not stopped forthwith.Sagar also condemned the arrest spree and excessive use of force on protesters.He also called for talks with the Hurriyat and militants to resolve the Kashmir issue.“Talks should not only be held with Hurriyat but also those holding guns. This has happened during the BJP government when L K Advani was the deputy prime minister. Joint Secretary (Home) did talk with militants at a guest house in Cheshma Shahi,” he said.The protesters were later detained by police.