Srinagar, August 28
The J&K Legislative Council today unanimously passed a resolution urging New Delhi to resume the process of talks with Pakistan to ensure peace and stability in the subcontinent.

The resolution was moved by Council Chairman Amrit Malhotra and was passed by the House through voice vote after a discussion on the three amendments to the resolution. “The House unanimously resolves that the state government shall urge the Union Government to resume the process of Indo-Pak dialogue and to ensure peace and stability in the subcontinent, in general and the state of Jammu and Kashmir in particular," the resolution said.

"The state government shall urge the Centre to take effective steps to resolve violations on LoC (Line of Control) and IB (International Border) which has caused huge loss of life and property in the affected state. It also asked the state government to take steps to ensure rehabilitation of victims of LoC firing," it added. The Union Government headed by Narendra Modi had recently cancelled foreign secretary-level talks with Pakistan after Islamabad envoy Abdul Basit held talks with Kashmir separatist leaders on August 18.

The members of political parties discussed three amendments to the resolution moved by Ghulam Nabi Monga and Naresh Kumar Gupta, both from the Congress, and Syed Mohammad Rafiq Shah of Panther's Party. All parties supported the resolution. Monga wanted talks between the two countries to be held at an “appropriate time and congenial atmosphere”. Speaking on the amendments, National Conference member Khalid Najeeb Suharwardy said India and Pakistan were using Kashmir as a “football” to suit their interests.

“There has always been match-fixing between the India and Pakistan and firing along border is part of that deal. This time Pakistan is helping India and tomorrow India would reciprocate,” Suharwardy said.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) legislator Nayeem Akthar said it was important for the House to express the feelings of the people of J&K to the Government of India.

“The talks are inevitable and this thing must be conveyed to the GOI as these are the people of the state who are suffering,” he said.

NC legislator Devinder Rana said war was not an option and dialogue was the only way out.

After the discussion on the amendments, Monga and Gupta withdrew their motion. Rafiq Shah staged a walkout terming the resolution as unconstitutional.

Senior High Court lawyer and an expert on J&K constitution Zaffar Ahmed Shah said the resolution passed by the Council was not binding on New Delhi.

“Foreign affair is primarily a Central government subject. But, nevertheless, the issue pertains to the people of J&K. The resolution passed by the Council expresses the desire of the people of the state to urge the Government of India to resume dialogue. The council said war was not an option between the two countries. It is for the Government of India to respect the views of the council members,” he said.