Srinagar, June 14: Expressing happiness that simultaneous initiatives had been launched for the first time to address both the "external and internal dimensions" of the Kashmir issue, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today asked militants to put an end to killings to create a conducive atmosphere for Indo-Pak talks. "Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee broke the ice in the Valley by inviting Pakistan for talks. At the same time, Centre's interlocutor N N Vohra started interacting with a cross section of people in the state," Sayeed said intervening during a reply in the legislative council.

He said that his government wanted to create a conducive atmosphere for a peaceful solution to the Kashmir issue.

Hailing the confidence building measures initiated by the Centre as a follow-up to the Prime Minister's 'hand of friendship', Sayeed said steps had already been taken to resume air, rail and road links between India and Pakistan.

Sayeed expressed the hope that these measures would lead to a long-lasting friendship between the two countries and amicable solution of all bilateral disputes.

He said that the world had "fiercely" turned against violence post-Sept 11 and it was an "opportune" time for militants operating in the state to give up the gun and join the mainstream.

"If they have any grievances, let them fight politically in the democratic way," Sayeed said.
Regarding allegations of human rights violations, the Chief Minister said "I have made it clear to all the security agencies operating in the state that no human rights violations will be tolerated."

Bureau Report