PM’s statement lacks substance: Separatists,PDP

Moderate Hurriyat Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq,on the other hand,wants PM to act rather than talk on Kashmir. “This time New Delhi should also take also some action on the ground. Well intentioned statement will no longer serve any purpose,” Mirwaiz told the Indian Express.

When asked what he would want the Prime Minister to do to make a difference,Mirwaiz said that for a start New Delhi should withdraw forces from the state rather than send more. “PM needs to take steps to revoke AFSPA,release political prisoners and allow people to protest peacefully,” He said. “Such initiatives would create necessary confidence and trust to start a meaningful dialogue on Kashmir”.

PDP said PM’s statement was good on “tone and tenor” but failed on substance. “On substance PM has little to offer to Kashmir. There is no roadmap for a political solution or the kind of solution that is under consideration. This would have given people something to look forward to,” PDP Chief Spokesperson Nayeem Akther told the Indian Express.

On the other hand,The National Conference while welcoming the PM’s speech said it is time for Delhi to act quickly to resolve the political aspect of the Kashmir issue.

Senior National Conference leader and MP Mehboob Beig,said,“We welcome the PM’s speech. It was nicely worded and there were excellent pronouncements,” party senior leader and MP Mehboob Beig said. “There has been always a huge mistrust between Delhi and Srinagar and that is mainly because of New Delhi failing to act on various recommendations including the autonomy document,” he said. “Though PM promised a lot in his speech but it is time to act now as quickly as possible. “

Beig also said that he expected Delhi to engage all shades of opinion for talks with honour and dignity. “You can not ignore Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Geelani sahib told people to stage peaceful protests and they are happening. He also appealed to youngsters not to pelt stones and they are following him. So let us face the reality – Delhi has to engage the separatists for finding a political solution to the problem,” he said.