`UN mission has failed to maintain LoC sanctity`

The UN Military Observers Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) has failed in its duty to maintain sanctity of the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said Tuesday.

Srinagar: The UN Military Observers Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) has failed in its duty to maintain sanctity of the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said Tuesday.

"Unfortunately, if the last two-and-a-half decades are any indication, this organisation (UNMOGIP) has done nothing to maintain the sanctity of the LoC," Omar told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

The UNMOGIP was set up in 1949 to supervise the ceasefire at the Line of Control.

Asked about the Centre`s rejection of Pakistan`s suggestion for using the services of UNMOGIP in Kashmir to maintain peace and tranquillity across the LoC, Omar said "It is a matter between Government of India and the United Nations."

"For more than 22 years, Jammu and Kashmir has been the victim of cross-border and cross-LoC terror. Inspite of the presence of the United Nations here, I have yet to see any strictures or any notice taken of the repeated violations on the LoC.
"The Kargil conflict took place as a result of the violation of the LoC. The UN was singularly unsuccessful in either avoiding that or resolving it," Omar said, adding that whatever the Government of India has thought about (UNMOGIP) has obviously been thought about in the light of these things.

The Chief Minister said the move should not be confused with the resolution of Kashmir issue.
"I understand some people will confuse this move with the ultimate resolution of the problem of Jammu and Kashmir. I think it is important to understand that this observer group was not placed here because of what happened in 1947...It was placed here to prevent the tension on the LoC which they have failed to resolve or to sort out," he said.

PTI

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