The Hindu : Terror attacks cannot derail peace process: Mufti

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 04, 2004

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Terror attacks cannot derail peace process: Mufti

By Luv Puri

Jammu Jan. 3 . Asserting that yesterday's terror strike at the Jammu railway station and the Rainawari incident on the peace rally day were the handiwork of fringe elements, the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, said today that they would fail to derail the peace movement that had gathered momentum in India and Pakistan.

Talking to reporters here after inaugurating the Jammu and Kashmir Police Public School complex in Mira Sahib area, Mr. Mufti said that such terror strikes on the eve of the SAARC summit were unfortunate but they would not affect the peace process which had the backing of the people.

He said the SAARC countries were moving ahead towards reconciliation on many ticklish issues such as SAFTA. There appeared to be a broad consensus on terrorism, which now haunts Pakistan as well, he said.

Tomorrow's SAARC summit would be a significant milestone on the road of peace and friendship among SAARC countries, especially between India and Pakistan.

"Both the countries had taken several confidence-building measures that would have its own impact in the approach of both neighbours at the SAARC meeting," he said.

On the opening of the Uri-Muzaffarabad road, the Chief Minister said that it was very much in the interest of the State and the country to establish these contacts.

Not only the Muzaffarabad road but also the Suchetgarh-Sialkot road should be opened in due course. He said these roads would go a long way in promoting tourism and the economy of the State.

Earlier, inaugurating the new school complex, the Chief Minister paid tributes to the police and security force personnel who laid down their lives at the Jammu railway station.

Back to normality

The Jammu railway station which was converted into a battle zone last evening was limping back to normality with trains resuming their normal service today.

The security personnel gave a green signal to the railway authorities after a thorough search.

Bullet marks and bloodstains, grim reminders of yesterday's gunbattle, could be seen on the walls of the station.

The New Delhi-bound Jhelum Express and the Pune-bound Shalimar Express which were behind schedule left the station this morning.

Senior police officials decided to plug the entry points from the eastern side which adjoins a barren land and said the terrorists were non-locals and likely to be Pakistani nationals.

The toll of the security personnel in yesterday's gunbattle has risen to five.

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