Kashmiri separatists ask Centre to clarify on talks offer
Srinagar, May 29: The Kashmiri separatist leadership on Tuesday asked the Central government to clear the ambiguity in its offer of dialogue before the separatist leadership deliberates on joining these talks.
A meeting of the Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), separatist conglomerate headed by Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik, was held at Geelani's uptown Hyderpora residence on Tuesday.
A statement issued by the JRL here said: "The JRL held a detailed meeting and deliberated on the current prevailing political situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
"The JRL while taking stock of the situation said the statements emanating regarding talks in the course of last few days from different people at the helm of affairs in New Delhi are unclear and ambiguous."
It pointed out that Home Minister Rajnath Singh said there should be a dialogue with both Kashmir and Pakistan but added that both parts of Kashmir belong to India while External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj put a rider and said no talks with Pakistan unless terror is stopped.
Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah "gives a new spin by saying that the ceasefire is not for militants but for the people while state police chief issued a statement that the ceasefire has been announced so that the militants come back home".
"All this ambiguity leaves little room to consider the talk about talks seriously with a purpose or warrant a response. The JRL wants to put all this in perspective and once again reiterate our stand.
"Stakes for the people of Kashmir are very high. We have invested heavily in our struggle for right of self-determination and we cannot afford to be part of an ambiguous effort that has no clarity and direction," the statement said.
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Congress targets Maharashtra govt over acid attack on minor girl
Mumbai, Mar 18 (PTI): An alleged acid attack on a Class 6 girl student in Sangamner prompted the Congress to slam the Maharashtra government in the legislative assembly on Wednesday, alleging deterioration in law and order in the state.
Calling the alleged incident in Ahilyanagar district “extremely disturbing”, Congress legislature party leader Vijay Wadettiwar accused the government of failing to curb crimes against women and minor girls.
Raising the issue through an adjournment motion, Wadettiwar demanded an immediate discussion, claiming that the minor is in a serious condition and the accused are yet to be arrested.
He questioned how the accused managed to flee after committing such a serious offence. The Congress leader also criticised the functioning of the local police, alleging inefficiency and corruption, and said such lapses embolden criminals.
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Wadettiwar further claimed that incidents of atrocities against minor girls have increased in the state, and the government has failed to take effective action.
Speaker Rahul Narwekar took note of the issue and directed the government to present a detailed statement in the house on the incident at the earliest.
Congress member Nana Patole demanded that the girl be brought to Mumbai and given better medical care for free.
He said the girl has suffered serious facial injuries that could affect her future. The incident reflects poorly on the administration, he said.
Failure to apprehend the culprit has heightened anxiety among citizens and the victim’s family, he added.
