STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: Pitching for dialogue to address the political issues, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today said some sections of the youth resorting to violence are impeding the resolution process instead of facilitating it.
She sought time and space to implement the roadmap laid down in PDP-BJP coalition’s ‘Agenda of Alliance’, saying her government’s agenda is not event-related but a process which would be taken to the logical conclusion through tangible initiatives at political, economic and administrative fronts including dialogue with all the stakeholders to address the momentous challenges confronting Jammu and Kashmir.
“Violence has not changed anything in Kashmir but only brought miseries and bloodshed to the state. Unfortunately, some sections of the youth resorting to violence are impeding the resolution process instead of facilitating it,” she said at an event here amid the ongoing unrest in the valley.
She said violence has changed nothing on political spectrum of Jammu and Kashmir, but brought mayhem, miseries, economic disaster, academic breakdown and social disorder to the state.
“We have witnessed a gory era of death and destruction for the past 26 years,” she said and asked, “Has it changed anything on ground except inflicting deep and pestering wounds on Kashmiris?”
Instead of facilitating resolution of the issues, it (violence) only has left behind a trail of tragedies and pain in almost every household in Kashmir, Mehbooba said while handing over appointment orders to the next of kin of such government employees who have died in harness.
Maintaining that the majority of stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir want resolution of the issues through peaceful political means, the Chief Minister stressed the need for creating conducive atmosphere for reviving the dialogue and resolution process.
“If resolution of political issues through dialogue is not the way out, then what is the way out of the present imbroglio? Tell me what is the solution, other than sitting across the table and talking in a peaceful and amicable atmosphere?” Mehbooba asked.
She said the violence converted the play-fields into graveyards and once happily-living families into traumatized souls and mourning households.
“The people need to give peace a chance so that the reconciliation and resolution process can be revived through dialogue and discussion,” she said.
Calling for winning the hearts and minds of the people, she said the reconciliation and resolution process which was started in 2002 by the then NDA Government headed by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had shown tangible results on the ground. .
“The major confidence building initiatives taken during that (Vajpayee’s) period had not only helped positively transform the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, but in the whole sub-continent,” Mehbooba said.
The peace and reconciliation process in and around Jammu and Kashmir has to be revived with fresh resolve to ensure peace and stability in the state and the region, she said.
“The Government strongly believes that nothing is valid and should be happening for Jammu and Kashmir except with the active involvement of its people.
Earlier, the Chief Minister handed over appointment orders to 106 people from 10 districts of Kashmir division, including 15 from Anantnag, 10 from Budgam, 14 from Baramulla, seven from Bandipora, eight from Ganderbal, 14 from Kupwara, four from Kulgam, 10 from Pulwama, 20 from Srinagar, and four from Shopian.
She said the appointment cases were pending due to various reasons over a long time.
