There is growing demand from various quarters that the Centre should initiate a dialogue process with everyone concerned in Jammu and Kashmir, including the separatists. The State Chief Minister has asked the Centre to begin talks without any pre-conditions. The Turkish President even suggested dialogue to break the deadlock and save lives. It is clear that the deployment of armed forces has not helped to bring back normalcy. Defying the security forces has become routine. Students too have joined the agitation.
Any encounter death appears to trigger unending violence resulting in deaths and injuries to villagers and security personnel. This vicious cycle of agitation, protests and encounters must end. It is hoped that talks with the parties concerned in the disturbed State without any precondition is one possible way of breaking the logjam and bringing a semblance of peace to the troubled Valley. A tough stand of “no talks” has not helped to ease the tense situation.
D.B.N. Murthy,
Bengaluru
