J&K CM stressed on brotherly Indo-Pak relations

            Keran/Srinagar, August 16 (Scoop News)- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has termed good Indo-Pak relations imperative for peace and development in both the countries adding that Jammu and Kashmir has always been the recipient of the dividends of thaw in Indo-Pak relations.

            Addressing a largely attended public meeting here on Monday, the Chief Minister underlined the need for free trade and travel across the LoC to enhance economic activities and broad-base people’s interactions.

            Omar stressed on brotherly Indo-Pak relations and said that dialogue between the two countries in a friendly atmosphere will pave the way for settling all issues and contributing for lasting peace in the sub-continent. “In the last 60 years period we have witnessed three and a half wars between the two countries without yielding any positive result. This highlights the need for addressing the issues peacefully”, he said. The Chief Minister said that the bad affects of gun and violence has engulfed Pakistan and there is immediate need for this country to join hands with India to fight the terrorism and help cultivate peace for the larger interests of the two people.

He welcomed the Government of India’s recognition of the fact that the accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India had taken place under unique circumstances necessitating addressing political issues of the state in a special manner. He also welcomed the Prime Minister’s statement on the issue of autonomy and said that time has provided a historic opportunity to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to take the advantage. He said that he has always advocated addressing political issues of Jammu and Kashmir politically and his party has stood for the restoration of autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir.

            On the present law and order situation in some parts of the valley, the Chief Minster said that stone pelting and violence will never prove prudent for anyone to ventilate his opinion and stress on the issues. “We have undergone a saga of militancy and we know it has yielded nothing for us” he said and appealed to all shades of the people to help restore normalcy and work for peaceful settlement of political issues on table. “When dialogue process is available why to resort to stone pelting and hartals” he questioned the leaders perpetrating these tactics adding that when they can discuss anything on the table and putforth any solution to the problems in a free and fair atmosphere of dialogue where is the need to disturb the peace and put everyone in trouble.

           Omar said that during elections, he asked votes from the people for development and his government in last eighteen months has focused on Pani, Bijli, Sadak, Taleem and Sahet, flagging employment and employability the major sectors of government concern. “We have promised to be facilitators in the talks at internal and external levels and my government is actively involved in it”, he added.

           He expressed sorrow over the economic losses of in the recent torrential rains in the border area of Keran and said that government will take every measure to rehabilitate the affected families and restore the infrastructure. He announced six months ration for the affected families and special recruitment drive for the youth of the area. He said the demand of the people for separate development block for the area would be actively considered in the right forum and assured them concrete steps by the government for all round development of the area.

On reaching Keran, Omar Abdullah was greeted by large crowd raising slogans in his favour and in the favour of his government.

            The public meeting was also addressed by Minister of State for Tourism and Housing, Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Kupwara, Mir Saifullah while as MLC Nasir Khan was present on the occasion.

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