An opposition delegation from Jammu and Kashmir during a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday. (PTI Photo) An opposition delegation from Jammu and Kashmir during a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday. (PTI Photo)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, at a meeting with a delegation led by former J-K chief minister Omar Abdullah, expressed ‘deep concern and pain’ over the prevailing situation in Kashmir. The delegation called on the Prime Minister to apprise him of the situation in the Kashmir valley.

PM Modi told the opposition leaders of Jammu and Kashmir that those who lost their lives during the unrest are part of us, our nation. Appealing for restoration of normalcy, the Prime Minister also said there has to be a dialogue and we need to find a permanent solution to the problem within the framework of the Constitution.

“Whether the lives lost are of our youth, security personnel or police, it distresses us,” Modi said.

The delegation informed the Prime Minister of the ground situation in the state, ever since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani over a month ago, on July 8. Close to seventy people – including security personnel – have been killed in clashes between protesters and security forces in the Valley.

The delegation included CPI-M MLA Mohammed Yusuf Tarigami, state Congress president GA Mir, senior leaders of the National Conference and some Independent MLAs.

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The delegation submitted a memorandum to PM Modi seeking an immediate ban on the use of pellet guns in the state. They further requested the Prime Minister to initiate a dialogue with all stakeholders in the Valley immediately. “A continued failure to address the unrest in Kashmir will further deepen the sense of alienation,” the memorandum to the Prime Minister read, hoping that Prime Minister Modi “will take immediate measures to address this grave situation.”

On Sunday, Omar Abdullah met President Pranab Mukherjee, apprising him of the situation in the Valley.

(with inputs from agencies)

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