The Hindu : Give peace a chance: Mufti

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Nov 27, 2003

National

National

Give peace a chance: Mufti

By Our Staff Reporter

JAMMU NOV. 26. The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed told reporters here today that the silencing of the guns on the borders was a good omen for the people of the State and hoped it would lead to cessation of violence.

The Chief Minister said the gun cannot solve problems, more so when dialogue is in progress and Pakistan had taken the historic step of enforcing ceasefire. It is a well-considered move by Pakistan and the demand of the times.

Appealing to the youth to lay down arms, he asked, "when Pakistan has taken such a major move towards peace, what is the justification to sport weapons and create problems for the people." He said it was time they realised the writing on the wall and dropped the gun respecting the sentiments of the people and the country. ``What we need is an end to violence and the militants must give peace a chance'', he added.

Earlier, addressing an Id congregation at the Idgah this morning, Mr. Sayeed said there could not be a better Id gift for the people of the State. "Since this major initiative is the manifestation of the yearning for peace of the people of India and Pakistan, it is bound to fructify. These initiatives started from the State's soil with the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, extending a hand of friendship to Pakistan.

The whole process started as a sequel to the unequivocal desire of the people to come out of the morass and restore peace with dignity. We have special reason to be happy as it is we who talked about it, worked on this agenda and facilitated the entire process," he said.

The Mufti said lakhs of people living along the border from Kathua to Ladakh had heaved a sigh of relief after the ceasefire.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National