Jammu: Appealing to the Valley’s separatist leadership to engage itself unconditionally in a dialogue process with the Centre for an amicable solution to Kashmir issue, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said `gun or money cannot resolve issues in the state`.
"Dialogue is only way forward to resolve all issues in the state. We appeal the separatist leaders to open talks with the Centre and discuss political issues threadbare seeking amicable solution," Omar said in his Republic Day address.
"When they can talk to the leadership of neighbouring country they should also talk to the leaders of their own country and work for settlement of the basic political issues confronting Jammu and Kashmir for the larger interests of the people," he said.
He gave the credit to people for their cooperation in maintaining peace and carrying forward development activities in all three regions of the state.
Neither peace nor progress was possible without the support of common man as a state like Jammu and Kashmir cannot be governed from secretariat because of its geographical diversity, remoteness and area specific problems, he said.
On the issue of security to panches and sarpanches, he said the coalition government has focused on the creation of a powerful Panchayat Raj System in the state.
"We held panchayat elections and transferred powers of 14 departments to them," he said.
An action plan has been prepared by the state government to help solve the problems of panchayat members related to their security, insurance cover and honorarium, Omar said.
PTI
