Dialogue process needed to Kashmir issue

Srinagar, Oct 6 (PTI) Asserting that Kashmir was an
outstanding issue requiring a political solution, Chief
Minister of north Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar
Abdullah Wednesday said a dialogue process to address the
external and internal dimensions needs to be started to
resolve the matter.
"It (Kashmir) is an outstanding issue which needs to
be resolved. It is a political issue and cannot be addressed
through development, employment or good governance only," Omar
said winding up the two-day debate in the state Assembly on
the prevailing law and order situation in Kashmir.
Maintaining that separatists alone did not hold key to
the resolution of the issue, he, however, said talks have to
be initiated with them also.
"It is an issue between India and Pakistan in which
Jammu and Kashmir was getting smashed in between. An external
dialogue process has also to be started," he said.
The Chief Minister said nobody has been claiming that
the talks should be focused on Kashmir only. "People from
Jammu, Ladakh and Kargil, besides the Valley have to be
involved in the settlement process and a solution acceptable
to them and our neighbours (Pakistan) has to be found."