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Bloody
Monday leaves 16 dead across Kashmir
Sixteen people were killed Monday as furious mobs clashed with
security forces and attacked government property across the
Kashmir Valley in protests that were initially triggered by a
report that copies of the Quran were desecrated in the US.
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New Delhi: The
government Monday appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir,
especially the youth, to "refrain from violent protests and
maintain peace and order" and said they are "re-starting the
process of dialogue".
The Cabinet Committee on Security, which is chaired by Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh, hoped that dialogue would be able to
"address issues such as the trust deficit and governance deficit".
"The CCS reiterates government intention to restart the process of
dialogue with different sections of people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Towards this end, the CCS has decided to convene an all-political
party meet at New Delhi on Wednesday, September 15, and elicit
their views on the way forward," said a note issued after the
three-hour meeting that met to review the situation in the state.
"Government hopes following the all-party meeting, it will be able
to engage the people of Jammu and Kashmir and also take certain
initiatives and measures that will build confidence among the
people of Jammu and Kashmir," it said.
The one-page note was handed out by Home Secretary G.K. Pillai
after the three-hour- long meeting at Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh's 7 Race Course Road official residence.
The meeting was held as the Kashmir Valley is on the boil again
with 16 people killed in clashes with security forces Monday. With
the latest deaths, 86 civilians, mostly teenagers and youth, have
been killed in the cycle of violence of street protests and
retaliatory firing by security forces since June 11.
Noting that it was "deeply distressed by the turn of events since
Eid and especially by the event that took place today following
certain rumours", the CCS "expressed its profound grief at the
loss of life and offers its sincere condolences to the bereaved
families."
"The government has always held the belief that the dialogue and
discussion is the only way forward to find an honourable and
lasting solution.
"On the past too, the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government
had taken several initiatives to hold the dialogue with different
political parties and political groups including the Hurriyat
those efforts did yield some results," it added.
"It was and remains the intention of the UPA government to restart
the process of dialogue. The dialogue can embrace all issues that
agitate the minds of people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially the
youth. The dialogue can address issues such as the trust deficit
and governance deficit," it added.
"Meanwhile, the CCS appeals to the people of Jammu and Kashmir,
especially the youth to refrain from violent protests and maintain
peace and order. Every life that is lost and every person that is
injured, beside causing immense grief, add to the complexity of
the situation.
"Government sincerely hopes that the people of Jammu and Kashmir
will heed this appeal and cooperate with the government in its
efforts to ensure justice, dignity, honour and peace in Jammu and
Kashmir," it added.
The meeting was attended by Defence Minister A.K. Antony, Home
Minister P. Chidambaram, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and
External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna.
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