New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Tuesday that he could empathise with the pain and suffering of the youth in the Kashmir Valley.
In his first statement on the troubled situation in the Valley since clashes broke out on June 11, the Prime Minister also issued an appeal to the youth and said they should go back to their schools and colleges and resume studies.
"Key to the problem in Kashmir is a political solution that addresses the alienation and emotional needs of the people," Singh said.
Singh added that a political solution could only be achieved through a sustained internal and external dialogue.
"We are ready for this and are willing to discuss all issues within the bounds of democratic process," he said.
In a televised speech in Urdu, he said he could understand the "dard aur mayusi" of the people.
Calling for a new beginning, the Prime Minister said there had been very little development ("bahut kam tarakki") in Jammu and Kashmir.
Singh also spoke on the role of security forces in the Valley and urged the state government to take action to protect policemen and their families.
"Jammu and Kashmir Police and other security forces are performing an extremely challenging task in difficult circumstances... we should not do anything to demoralise the security forces," he added.
Prime Minister Singh also proposed to set up an expert group headed by Dr C Rangarajan with N R Naryanmurthy, Tarun Das and others to formulate a jobs plan for the state involving both public and private sectors.
(With PTI and IANS inputs)
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