Srinagar: Senior Congress leader and Social Welfare Minister Abdul Gani Vakil today said Kashmir issue was an "internal affair of India" and no external power will be allowed to interfere.

"Solution to Kashmir issue lies in political discourse within India. No external power will be allowed to interfere in our internal affairs," Vakil said, addressing a public meeting at Repan-Rafiabad in Baramulla district.

Apparently referring to separatists, Vakil said, "Congress party favours involvement of all political parties and shades of thought in the resolution process of state's problems through reconciliation and consensus."

"Everybody in a democratic set up is free to express his views but that expression should not reflect opinion of external forces," he said, adding people and their representatives are the only stakeholders of peace and development in the state.

He said the coalition government had succeeded in safeguarding human rights in the state. "Security forces were sensitised and directed to avoid harassment to innocent civilians while combating militancy. This has resulted in the remarkable reduction in rights violation," he added.

The Minister laid foundation stones for two parks at Mazbug and Nowpora villages to be developed at a cumulative cost of Rs nine lakh.

He also distributed Rs 20 lakh among 200 persons of Rafiabad and Sopore tehsils under National Family Welfare Scheme.

Source : PTI