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Guv should sustain opening dialogue: Soz

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 10/17/2018 3:23:13 PM

SRINAGAR, Oct 16: Former union minister Prof Saifuddin Soz today said governor Satyapal Malik should sustain his initial commitment to open a dialogue in Kashmir.
In a statement, Soz said, “I wish Governor Satyapal Malik remains steadfast on his assurance earlier that he would open a political dialogue in Kashmir. The latest from him is a decisive direction that Kashmiris could not ask for anything more than the constituent assembly with a flag of their own. This is clear misreading of the present situation in Kashmir.”
The former minister stated that governor had asserted recently that the central government had gone wrong in Kashmir. “He has negated that perception so soon! The people in Kashmir had hoped that the governor would open a meaningful dialogue which would be beneficial both to the people of Kashmir and the Union of India. I would like to remind him (Governor) that many crucial decisions of the constituent assembly had been subverted by the Union and the Delhi agreement of 1952 was also wrecked by the Union, over a long period of time, till today,” Soz added
He said now is a situation of the worst nature when central government exhibits its culture only for using force in Kashmir. “Is that the way of sustaining and promoting a constitutional relationship? I say this only because the governor had earlier wanted to initiate a serious political dialogue in Kashmir. Meanwhile, the National Conference is fully justified to ask for restoration of autonomy in the state within the frame of Delhi agreement of 1952,” Soz said.
According to him, the governor should also, in the larger interests, consider inviting Omar Abdullah and discussing with him the answer to his question on the recent Panchayat elections in Kashmir.
“As for a durable solution to the Kashmir dispute, my stand remains that a purposeful dialogue needs to be held with the JRL, the body that has appeared on the scene representing the anger in the mind of Kashmiris, particularly the youth,” Soz said.