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`Id may usher in an era of peace'

Jammu Nov 25. The Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, has felicitated the people on the occasion of Id-ul-Fitr hoping that the auspicious day would usher in a new era of peace and development.

In a message, the Chief Minister said Id-ul-fitr marks the happy end of the month long fasting and special prayers through which Muslims undergo vigorous spiritual purification and self restraint.

Mr Sayeed said this year's Id-ul-Fitr has an added significance as it brings a new and strengthened hope for restoration of peace with dignity.

``Being celebrated in the backdrop of fresh peace initiatives by India and Pakistan, this Id may herald a new beginning for which we had been praying for long and bring an end to the sufferings of the people of the state due to prolonged violence and bloodshed.''

He said the state and its people have the greatest stake in peace and were looking forward with hope and enthusiasm in the success of these initiatives.

Mr Mufti welcomed the latest offer of unilateral ceasefire by Pakistan on the eve of Id-ul-Fitr and India's positive response to it respecting people's yearning for peace.

``Coinciding with the auspicious occasion, the cease fire angers well for building cooperation and trust between the two neighbours. I see in it a great moment,'' he said and prayed for the success of the dialogue.

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt Gen (retd) S K Sinha has extended his greetings and good wishes to the people of the state on the occasion of Id-ul-Fitr.

In a message, the Governor said Id-ul-Fitr which marks the culmination of the holy month of fasting, symbolises patience, self-discipline and compassion which are the hallmarks of Islam.

He said great religion of Islam preaches harmony, self-restraint, equality, brotherhood and peace, which is the need of the hour. He said all the religions show the path of righteousness, humility and purity of thought to the mankind and he called upon the people to rededicate themselves to these values.

The Governor hoped that Id-ul-Fitr would usher in a new phase of peace and stability in Jammu and Kashmir.

Meanwhile, on the heels of sporadic communal flare-ups in Uttar Pradesh in the recent past, the State government has sounded a general alert for the Id festival and the December 1 legislative council elections.

Elaborate security arrangements are in place at all the sensitive towns including Ayodhya, Mathura, Varanasi, Kanpur, Allahabad and Lucknow.

Senior police officials told UNI that the security arrangements would continue till December 6 -- the 7th anniversary of Ayodhya demolition which the VHP plans to observe as `Shaurya Diwas'.

All passenger trains are being checked thoroughly at the railway stations and sniffer dogs pressed into service by the railway police to detect explosives.

Thirty-six seats of U.P. upper house would go for polls through local bodies on December 1. While the entire exercise would remain a low key affair, police has taken all measures for a violence-free campaigning and polling.

Special care is being taken at the Indo-Nepal border areas, officials said, adding security had been beefed up at the entry points from the Himalayan kingdom to the state, he said.

Special care has been taken against anti-national elements trying to create communal disturbances in U.P.

Sources confirmed that local intelligence sleuths had been alerted in view of the threat perception and asked to coordinate with police.

In the neighbourhood, Uttaranchal police has made elaborate security arrangements for Id-ul-Fitr which will be celebrated tomorrow.

Police teams will be posted around all mosques in the city and also near the Idgaah, according to SP (City) G S Martolia. Sub Inspectors, constables and PAC jawans will patrol the city on the occasion, he said.

Traffic routes have also been changed for Id, he said. The main areas like Clock Tower and Prince crossing would remain closed for traffic till noon, said Mr Martolia. -- UNI

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