The Hindu : National : Azad hopeful of finding permanent solution

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 15, 2006

National

National

Azad hopeful of finding permanent solution

Shujaat Bukhari

`It will be acceptable to all regions of J&K'

Ghulam Nabi Azad

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Tuesday said the Kashmir issue would soon be resolved in accordance with the wishes of people of all the three regions of the State. He said this time the solution would be permanent.

Addressing a largely attended public meeting at Verinag in South Kashmir, organised by former Minister Ghulam Ahmed Mir, the Chief Minister said that "in the past 58 years there have been many attempts to resolve the issue but all have failed to lead to a permanent settlement." Mr. Azad sounded optimistic about a solution, which he said was not far away.

Referring to his recent meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he said "the Prime Minister assured me that efforts will be made within weeks to address the problem." He sought people's cooperation in restoring peace in the State. Quoting the Prime Minister, he said he is inviting fo talks not only the Hurriyat and other separatist groups who have not so far participated in the elections, but also mainstream parties who have taken part in elections and received people's mandate.

The Prime Minister, he said, told him that the spectrum of dialogue would be widened to interact on one hand with Pakistan and on the other with various political parties and groups in the State to evolve a lasting and workable solution.

He said the era of bloodshed, exploitation and confusion should now end and raising emotional slogans to lead the people astray should be stopped, to speed up developmental tempo and create avenues for jobs and economic activities.

Mr. Azad reiterated that custodial killings would not be allowed. "Whosoever is found involved in such an act will be dealt as a criminal." "We are here for protecting the dignity and honour of people particularly the women folk."

He said he has given instructions to security agencies that no harassment of innocents, no custodial deaths at any stage and no collateral damage under any circumstances to the property should take place.

The Chief Minister said that he has vowed to steer the State to the shore of development and prosperity and strive for protecting the lives and property of innocent people, who have suffered quite a lot during the period of militancy.

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