By IANS,
New Delhi : Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India, Congress president Sonia Gandhi said Wednesday and stressed that a “spirit of accommodation” could end the turmoil and conflict.
“Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of our country and democracy. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are our people. They are our citizens,” she said at the all-party meeting presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
“Let us demonstrate… the spirit of accommodation. This alone I believe can create a space for reconciliation and bring an end to turmoil and conflict,” she said at the meeting held at the prime minister’s 7, Race Course Road residence.
The meeting was called to discuss measures to defuse the volatile situation in the valley, where 88 people, mainly teenagers and youth, have died in violent protests since June 11.
“My party is more than willing to support the process of healing and dialogue in partnership with the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” Gandhi said.
She expressed her “deep sense of sorrow at the continuing loss of life in Kashmir”.
“I share the anguish of those who have lost their loved ones and my heart goes out especially to the parents and families of children who have died. I regret not sharing their grief in person. I also offer my condolences to the families of our security forces who lost their dear ones in Kashmir,” she said.