Modi Should Have Spoken on Kashmir in Parliament, Not at a Rally: Congress

New Delhi: The Congress on Wednesday launched a full-blown attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Centre's handling of the unrest in Kashmir.

Taking a jibe at Modi for not being present in Parliament during the discussion on Kashmir, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said the PM preferred to speak over the issue during a rally in Madhya Pradesh rather than participate in a Parliament discussion.

"I don't know when Parliament was moved to Madhya Pradesh. The PM's statement on Kashmir should not have come from Madhya Pradesh but should have come from Parliament," Azad said.

Claiming that all parties have to sit together and find a solution to the problems in Jammu and Kashmir, Azad said the state government cannot alone resolve the law and order situation in the state.

"We are not blaming anyone on Kashmir. It is not a normal law and order situation. The state government is dependant on the Central government for resources. It is not possible for the J&K CM to single-handedly deal with the situation in Kashmir," he said.

Breaking his silence on the turmoil in Kashmir, Modi had on Tuesday advocated a path of "democracy and dialogue" to restore peace in the spirit of 'insaniyat (humanity), jamhuriyat (democracy) and Kashmiriyat'.

Reaching out to the people of the turbulent Valley which has witnessed the death of over 55 people in clashes and a record-breaking curfew in large parts, Modi said it was painful to see innocent youngsters, who should be holding laptops, books and cricket bats, "handed" stones and appealed to them for maintaining peace and harmony in the "heaven on earth".

Obviously alluding to the voices favouring 'azadi' (freedom) for the state, he said people of Jammu and Kashmir had the same freedoms as enjoyed by every Indian.

These were Modi's first comments on the continuing unrest in the valley in the aftermath of the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen Commander Burhan Wani by security forces on July 8.

Curfew in some parts and restrictions in rest of Kashmir remained in force for the 33nd day on Wednesday. The situation across the Valley has, however, showed signs of improvement with the army assisting the police and paramilitary personnel in keeping troublemakers at bay. Violent protests have rocked Kashmir over the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8.

As many as 55 persons including two cops were killed and several thousand others were injured in the clashes between protestors and security forces.