PM accepts that development alone can't resolve J&K issue: Omar

New Delhi, Aug 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday acknowledged that "only development can't resolve the problem in Jammu and Kashmir", said former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who led a delegation of opposition parties from the state that met the Prime Minister.

"The Prime Minister has acknowledged that development alone can't resolve the problem in the state," Abdullah told the media after the meeeting.

As curfew continued for the 45th day in Kashmir, the delegation told the Prime Minister that a "political solution" would have to be found to the "political issue" in the state.

"We stressed on the fact that the issue in Jammu and Kashmir is a political issue. If we don't find a political solution to this, then every time we'll repeat the same mistakes.

The delegation warned that the continuing law and order problem and unrest in the state will only further alienate the people.

"We have told the Prime Minister that it is required to understand the problem that has led to the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir and find a right solution to the issue," Abdullah said.

The delegation, he said had come with the "hope that our voices will be heard. We have not come here with any complaints, we have come here with a request. The message with which we've come here, if it is executed, it will not only benefit the state of Jammu and Kashmir, but the country as a whole".

The delegation also submitted to the Prime Minister a memorandum that demanded an immediate ban on the use of pellet guns in the troubled state.

The meeting came a day after the delegation met Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi here on Sunday to discuss ways to contain the prevailing unrest in Kashmir Valley.

The Valley has been crippled by a curfew and protests called by separatists since July 9, a day after the killing of a top militant, Burhan Wani, in a gunfight with the security forces.

At least 68 people have died in clashes with the security forces.

IANS