'Mutual interactions to alleviate fears in Kashmir'

A group of professionals and students from different communities of Kashmir issued a statement in New Delhi on Monday that mutual interactions between communities could be the way forward for alleviating fears that have enveloped the valley following withdrawal of special status to the state.

The discussion among the group members came to the conclusion that the Centre must intervene to address fears and apprehensions that has enveloped the valley after withdrawal of special status to Jammu and Kashmir on August 5 by reading down Article 370 of the Constitution. The participants said that land, culture, employment and language of Kashmiris could be under threat after the abrogation of Article 370.

The group - comprising academic, lawyers, entrepreneurs, IT professionals and students - had met on Sunday to discuss the prevalent situation in Jammu and Kashmir. It comprised individuals drawn from the both Muslim and Pandit communities of Kashmir.

Satish Mahaldar, a Kashmiri activist, said that the interaction was a follow-up of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement in which he had said that each Kashmiri needs to be hugged.

"Our aim is to have interactions between the two communities. Much has been lost in these 30 years and if such efforts are not made now, Kashmiris as a whole will be doomed," said Mahaldar.

The group discussed upon the need to increase interaction among various communities from Kashmir in order to tide over the situation post abrogation of Article 370. It emerged during the course of the discussions that there is a feeling of loss of identity among Kashmiris which requires to be addressed.

( With inputs from IANS )