Jammu, January 8(Vijay Kumar) –Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah said that his government is working on creating palatable situation for talks and facilitating state-central dialogue with all shades of opinion.
Talking to BBC News Channel here today, Omar once again emphasized the need for consistent and result oriented talks between the Centre and the State to settle Jammu and Kashmir centric issues once for all. “This is for the larger interests of peace and development in the region”, he asserted.
“Separatists groups differ in opinion with the national consensus on Kashmir issue, as such, their dialogue is more relevant with Union government than the state”, he said in reply to a question adding that they have no dispute over the constitution of Jammu and Kashmir to discuss it with the state government. “We have otherwise social contacts with them”. However, if they wish to discusses matters with the centre jointly with us. “We are more than willing”.
Omar said that the most satisfying achievement of the last year, he spent in office, was the lowest ever human rights violation in the state in last 20 years and the considerable reduction in militancy related incidents. “We succeeded in creating, by and large, a conducive environment for carrying forward development works smoothly in the state”, he maintained.
“No it was not a fidayeen attack”, he said when asked about the yesterday’s Lal Chowk incident adding that fidayeen attack means a suicidal attack on high value target while as this was a simple encounter between running away militants and the security forces”, he explained. He said security forces had the input about these militants and they were traced at a naka but they escaped by throwing a grenade on police party and entered into a hotel. He added that while reporting such incidents media has also the equal responsibility to use the appropriate words.
In reply to a question regarding Indo-Pak composite dialogue, Omar said that the dialogue is imperative to bring about most needed thaw in relations between the two neighbours. However, Pakistan has to meet the Indian concerns to create a conducive situation that has been disturbed owing to 26/11 incident.
On relation between coalition partners in the government, Omar said the Congress and National Conference Government is working in complete tandem and every decision is made unanimously and in a co-ordinated manner. “You have ample example of disagreements and cross-working that existed in the previous coalition government in the state. Even Ministers used to run away from the Cabinet meetings during that period. This is not the situation now. We have had 14 Cabinet meetings in last one year and scores of other high-level decision making sessions. We decided on issues as a single unit”, he maintained.
In reply to a question regarding the relations with PDP, Chief Minister said that he has no personal animosity with this party or its leadership we are only politically opposite. “We often meet and exchange wishes”.
“Yes I take guidance from Dr. Farooq Abdullah as my father and President, National Conference”, he replied to a question to this nature and said that as he discusses issues with the National leadership of Congress regarding coalition matters, he does interact with the President of National Conference, Dr. Farooq Abdullah about such matters and more.
“I do not take any step or make any decision without thinking over it” he said when asked whether he joined the politics as a coincidence or willingly adding that his ultimate aim in politics is to serve the people and seek better tomorrow for youth.
In reply to another question regarding troops withdrawal, he said National Security Advisor has rightly said that withdrawal of troops is related to the betterment of security scenario on the ground.