Congress blames Pak for turmoil in Kashmir

Independent Media
Congress on Wednesday held Pakistan responsible for the current turmoil in the Kashmir Valley and suggested that the government take up with Islamabad the issue of `inimical elements' from across the border having a hand in perpetrating violence and disruption. Elements from across the border and the separatists inimical to the unity of our country are trying to create tension and violence in the Valley," party spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan told reporters. 

She said that "despite such provocations and incitement the people of Jammu and Kashmir would not fall prey to the designs of the forces which are against the unity of India."

Taking note of the administrative steps being taken to deal with the situation, she said that both the Centre and the state were seized of the matter.

Natarajan said that normalcy would soon be restored in the troubled state with the measures yielding results.

With the Army having staged a `flag march' in some parts of Srinagar earlier in the day and the Centre taking a serious view of the development, the Congress statement accusing Pakistan of inciting trouble in the Kashmir Valley assumed significance.

Natarajan called upon all the political parties to rise to the occasion and extend all cooperation to the administration. She stressed that the violence and disruption in the Valley would not have happened but for the active role of the hostile elements from the other side of the border. "Trouble is being fomented by elements from across the border," she emphasised.

Asked about the Army deployment, she said that they were still on the periphery. She called for a strong move to bridge the gap between the administration and the people.