Srinagar: The CPI(M) on Saturday said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should visit Pakistan without getting swayed by the domestic political compulsions. "The peace process between the two countries should not be overturned because of domestic compulsions," said MY Tarigami, Jammu and Kashmir CPI(M) secretary.
"For Singh, in the twilight of his political career, the latest invitation from Pakistan President (Asif Ali Zardari) perhaps provides him a chance to be magnanimous and go down in the annals of history as a statesman, not a mere politician," Tarigami said.
He was addressing a public gathering at Arreh in south Kashmir. Recalling the prime minister's announcement last month that he was ready for a visit to Pakistan, Tarigami said the visit would signal a thaw in India-Pakistan relations, which had deteriorated after Mumbai attacks.
"I earnestly appeal prime minister not to get swayed by the domestic political compulsions and visit the neighbouring country to prove to be the fruit of behind-the-scenes diplomatic engagement between the two countries since the attack," he said. The communist leader said dialogue process between India and Pakistan needs impetus but simultaneously there is need to address the internal dimensions of the problem.
"Dialogue between India and Pakistan will remain inconclusive unless the political aspirations of Kashmiris are included in the same," he said. Tarigami said the role of people of Jammu and Kashmir cannot be marginalised and in this regard alienation among the people of the state be addressed with a sincere and lucid talks offer.
He also sought personal intervention of the prime minister in granting general amnesty for all political prisoners languishing in different jails inside Kashmir and other parts of the country. "The move could help in improving the ground situation in Kashmir. Also as a part of confidence building measure, releasing all those prisoners not involved in heinous crimes will help in improving the ground situation in the state," he said.
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