Hitting out at the Narendra Modi government for its handling of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir former Union Home Minister has stirred up a fresh controversy on the issue.

Writing in a national daily today, P Chidambaram termed Kashmir issue as "a long-pending dispute concerning accession", a stand that even his own party, the Congress may dissociate from.

Chidambaram said that "the hard, muscular, militaristic approach" of the Narendra Modi government in dealing with terrorism in Kashmir Valley failed to yield any positive results.

Quoting figures from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Chidambaram said that the muscular approach of the government in Kashmir Valley caused more loss lives of civilians and jawans in 2017. The figures also show rise in casualties among the terrorists.

Chidambaram also agreed that "infiltration and militancy, supported by Pakistan, have caused turmoil" in Jammu and Kashmir. But, then he said, "It would be wrong to think that the issue is infiltration and militancy."

"Infiltration and militancy are the consequences of the issue. The issue is the long-pending dispute concerning the accession of Kashmir," Chidambaram said.

Questioning Narendra Modi government's stand of having no talks with Pakistan until cross-border terrorism stops in Kashmir or with those demanding aazaadi, Chidambaram said, "Four wars have been fought over the issue. No purpose will be served by pretending that there is no issue or there is no dispute between India and Pakistan."

He also termed the appointment of former Intelligence Bureau chief Dineshwar Sharma as Special Representative for holding talks with all factions of Kashmiri leadership "a pre-election gimmick" on the eve of Gujarat polls.

Chidambaram said that the Modi government was not keen on finding a solution to Kashmir issue while praising the efforts taken by Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh governments in the past.

He said, "The fault of the present government is that it does not seem to want a solution; it is not making a diligent effort to seek a solution; and by shutting the door on talks with all the stakeholders, it has foreclosed a solution in the near future."

"The way forward is to invite all stakeholders for talks," Chidambaram said while demanding dismissal of the Mehbooba Mufti government of Jammu and Kashmir.

Chidambaram prescribed a solution saying that the Centre should "promulgate Governor's Rule in the state...announce that the Central government will hold talks with all stakeholders...appoint interlocutors to pave the way for talks...Reduce the presence of the Army and para-military in the Kashmir Valley and hand over the task of maintaining law and order to the state police..."

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