Srinagar, Sep 02: Disturbed by the recent spurt in violent incidents the state, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today renewed his call to militants to shun the gun and opt for peaceful dialogue for resolving the issues. "Gun has never solved any problem and it will never will. Those who have guns in their hands should shun the path of violence and give peace a chance," Sayeed said in his inaugural address at the three-day international education conference here.

The Chief Minister, who was visibly perturbed by the rise in the violent incidents since last fortnight, repeated his appeal several times asking the militants to take a leaf out of movements around the globe and ponder whether any of them was successful because of violent means. "Look at Gandhiji ... When the Indian freedom struggle was at its peak, he denounced violence as a means to achieve his goals," Sayeed said.

Asking the militants to help in consolidating the confidence building measures between India and Pakistan, Sayeed said the two countries were in the process of creating a conducive atmosphere for peaceful dialogue. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee offered peace talks to Pakistan. He has clearly said 'we can change our friends but we cannot change our neighbours'. So let us give peace a chance as we have to live side by side, Sayeed added.

Bureau Report