Congress today criticised the Centre for not pressing 'checks and balances' available to it while handling the violent protests in Kashmir Valley and said while the security personnel were under pressure, the use of 'disproportionate and excessive' force should be avoided.

A two-member Congress team, comprising party leaders Ambika Soni and Salman Khurshid, which is in the Valley to take stock of the situation, urged the central government to call an all-party meeting to discuss steps to deal with the situation even as it appealed to the people to maintain peace, saying their is no other answer but dialogue to any problem.Watch J&K unrest brought development activities to standstill situation: Congress With HD Quality.