New Delhi: The Concerned Citizens Group (CCG), led by former External Affairs and Finance Minister, Yashwant Sinha on Tuesday expressed deep anguish over recent escalation in violence in Kashmir.
“The solution to the present crisis in J&K lies in dialogue at the appropriate political level. Only by winning the hearts and minds of the people can their faith in the political process be restored,” the group said.
Besides Sinha, the signatories to the statement include air vice marshal (retd.) Kapil Kak, executive director of the Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation Sushobha Barve, senior journalist Bharat Bhushan, former chairman of minorities commission Wajahat Habibullah, former special secretary to the government V. Balachandran, author Rajmohan Gandhi, former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court A.P.Shah and former Secretary, Ministry of External AffairsKC Singh.
The group said the recennt escalation in violence in Kashmir has led to avoidable loss of civilian lives as well as that of security force personnel. “What is worse is that the violence shows no signs of abating. It is also evident that despite being aware of the futility of picking up arms, an increasing number of desperate youngsters are joining the ranks of militants,” they said in a statement.
They urged everyone concerned to, “step back from the conflict”.
“While picking up arms by the militants is bound to attract the use of force against them by the State, intensifying the confrontation can only worsen the situation,” CCG said in a statement.