Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister
Omar Abdullah today asked all stakeholders to make an effort
for political resolution of the Kashmir issue while appealing
to civil society to help restore peace in the state.
"We have been strong votaries of dialogue both internal
as well as external to help resolve issues," he said while
chairing a meeting of prominent citizens, representatives of
traders, house boat owners, artisans and members of the civil
society here.
Most parts of Kashmir valley have witnessed incidents
of violence and stone pelting since June 28 by locals to
protest the killing of three youths allegedly in firing by
security forces.
Underlining the importance of restoring the dialogue
process, he said that in a democratic setup expression of
views is the right of every citizen.
However, he said that anger should not be expressed by
throwing stones and disturbing law and order as there are
other democratic methods of registering protest.
"Maintenance of law and order and tranquillity is the
responsibility of both the citizens and the government," he
said adding both should complement each other in this task.
"I appeal civil society to move hand in hand with the
government and be watchdogs of his government and suggest
wherever a course correction is required," he said.
The Chief Minister said while the government is
determined to discipline the security forces and book the
violators of human rights, it is the responsibility of the
senior citizens to play their role in influencing those who
indulge in stone pelting.
He said Kashmir issue needs political resolution and
this can only happen when all the stakeholders make an effort
in right earnest to find a solution.
Omar said that his resolve to address the Kashmir
issue politically came out forthrightly in his speech that he
made before the Prime Minister and UPA Chairperson on the
occasion of inauguration of Qazigund-Anantnag Railway track.
"I categorically said that Kashmir problem is a
political one and it needed a political solution. Economic
packages can have their role but these alone cannot address
the aspirations of the people of the state," he said.
Omar said that strikes and law and order disturbances
mar career of students and thereby affect their future
prospects. The Chief Minister said that rumour mongers and
people with vested interests take advantage of such situations
and add fuel to the fire. "We have to be cautious about such
elements, identify them and isolate them."
The Chief Minister impressed upon the members of civil
society for the need to rise to the occasion and help in
restoration of peace and order in the state. "Peace is a must
to enable us to move forward on all fronts whether political,
social, economic or developmental," he said.
PTI
