New Delhi: Opposition leaders led by former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday met President Pranab Mukherjee and requested him to urge upon the central government to find a solution to the present Kashmir crisis politically rather than administratively.
"The failure of the central government to acknowledge that the issue in Kashmir is largely of a political nature has worsened the already volatile situation," Omar, who was leading a delegation of 20 opposition leaders, told reporters after an hour-long meeting with the President.
"All of us requested the President to intervene in the matter so that a credible and meaningful process of political dialogue could be initiated without any further delay to ensure peace in the valley," he added.
He said the continued refusal of the Centre to deal with the situation through a political approach "is disappointing and can have serious long term implications on peace and stability in the state".
The former Chief Minister, who was flanked by Congress MLAs led by state PCC Chief G A Mir, CPM MLA M Y Tarigami and Independent legislator Hakim Yaseen, said, "The fire that has been raging in Kashmir Valley for last 42 days has already started spreading across Peer Panjal and Chenab Valley in Jammu region and Kargil area."
Omar warned that a "continued delay to engage with the people of the state through a comprehensive and sustained political initiative will further deepen the sense of alienation in the Valley and cast a shadow of uncertainty on its future generation".
He said the delegation also requested the President to use his "influence" on the state as well as the Centre "to stop the use of lethal force against civilians in the Valley".
(With PTI inputs)
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