*Conspiracy to destabilize Govt: DyCM
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Apr 29: Give me five years of peace, I will give you development and make Jammu and Kashmir a Model State in the country. This was stated by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti while addressing a gathering in Udhampur town this morning even as she cautioned that efforts could be made by some anti-social elements to vitiate atmosphere in the State by creating communal divide to disturb the PDP-BJP alliance.
In her address to the gathering and later talking to media persons in Udhampur after e-inauguration of 56 foot bridges under ‘Project Rahat’, Ms Mufti, accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh and other Ministers, said her Government was trying to make all possible efforts to improve situation in Jammu and Kashmir but some “unfortunate incidents” like that of Handwara happens and entire system is disturbed.
Describing Jammu and Kashmir as ‘very sensitive State’, she said if an incident takes place in Jammu, there is reaction in Kashmir and vice versa.
“We need help of the people of Jammu and Kashmir for development in building infrastructure like road network, power, water, hospitals, job opportunities and development but all this is directly linked to peace in the State,” she said and called upon the people to give her five years of peace and promised that she would make J&K a ‘Model State in India’.
Asserting that anti-social elements can make efforts to trigger sacrilegious acts to create problems for the PDP-BJP alliance, Mehbooba cautioned the people against such elements saying if they give her five years of peace, she would take the State towards new heights in terms of development.
It may be mentioned that Mehbooba has almost five years term as the Chief Minister as J&K Assembly has six years term. While Mufti Mohammad Sayeed ruled the State for nearly 10 months, there was about three months Governor’s rule in the State after his death.
Lauding peace process initiated with Pakistan by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ms Mufti said Modi had taken bold step by visiting Lahore and setting into motion the process of dialogue with the neighbouring country. The recent round of Foreign Secretary level talks between the two neighbours was another positive step, she added.
Describing terrorism as ‘biggest global threat, the Chief Minister said even the Muslim nations were worst victim of terror.
“Leave aside Pakistan, even Libya and Syria were also facing terrorism, which has become a global menace,” she said, adding that India and Pakistan need to address their issues. Apart from terrorism, there was also need to address alienation of youth,” she asserted.
Noting that growth rate of the countries can go upwards if they stop animosity and funding the terrorism, Mehbooba Mufti said only if peace was restored, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s slogan of `Vikaas’ (development) would turn into a reality.
“The good thinks like opening of Suchetgarh and Chamblayal border routes in Jammu, Nowshera and Jhanghar in Rajouri and promotion of border tourism will happen only if the two countries (India and Pakistan) come close,” the Chief Minister said, adding peace in Jammu and Kashmir was directly related to the peace between two neighbours.
She said if there was peace between India and Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir will benefit immensely but if there was animosity, J&K will be the worst sufferer.
Mehbooba urged both countries to join hands against terrorism.
“Both India and Pakistan need to address the problem of terrorism and alienation of youth. If we keep fighting then this would pose a threat to our existence. The money being spent on animosity can be instead diverted towards good purpose and boost growth of the countries,” she pointed out.
She lauded the efforts being made by India and Pakistan to engage in dialogue despite terrorist attack on the Air Force base in Pathankot.
“The talks have begun. The Prime Minister had gone to Lahore where an informal meeting was held. After that, unfortunately the Pathankot incident took place, but despite that talks went on. Even recently, the talks were held between the Foreign Secretaries of the two countries,” she added.
She said, “Both India and Pakistan need to address the problem of terrorism and alienation of youth. If we keep fighting then this would pose a threat to our existence.”
“I think it (terrorism) is a global phenomenon. It is not confined to a region or a country, it is now global. Pakistan is facing terror blasts and they are using drones to eliminate terrorists,” she said.
Mehbooba said Pakistan needs to take lessons and keep good relations with neighbouring countries as it has already lost three wars to India.
“Pakistan needs to take lessons as to how long it will fight as it has lost three wars (with India) and we need keep good relations with out neigbhours,” she said.
She expressed optimism and lauded the efforts on Indo-Pak engagements for peace talks despite the deadly terrorist attack on Pathankot IAF station.
She said Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance and added that majority of the Muslims, barring a few, believe in peaceful co-existence, including the Muslims of India.
“This is the reason why Indian Muslims are respected all over the world despite a cloud of suspicious hovering over Muslims at the global level,” she added.
Noting that tourism directly generates employment, Ms Mufti said J&K has vast potential of tourism but it had been confined to few places only.
“Few days back, I went to Mubarak Mandi heritage site for the first time and was delighted to see such a beautiful site in Jammu, which was being used only for parking of vehicles etc. Had it been in any other State, it would have been converted into Taj Mahal,” she said, adding her Government has now taken steps to make it a wonderful site to watch for the tourists.
Mehbooba said the Government would now focus on development of tourism in Jammu region, which has very beautiful spots. Simultaneously, the Government will take steps for promotion of tourism in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
Referring to the industry, she regretted that it too has been confined to some parts of Jammu and Srinagar only.
“We will try to expand the places of industry. Further, before setting up the industry, efforts will be made to train the boys and girls in skill development, which is required by the industry so that local youth avail the benefits of industry set up here,” she said.
Similarly, the Chief Minister said, her Government proposed to set up Model Maternity Hospitals in every Assembly constituency of the State apart from making all District Hospitals as ‘Model Hospitals’.
Lauding the people of Jammu region including Udhampur, she said the people gave shelter to the migrants of Kashmir, both Hindus and Muslims when they migrated after militancy and shared whatever they could.
“The people here have set an example. Similarly, the people of Kashmir have been rendering all possible help to the Amarnath yatris. Last year, it were the people of Kashmir, who had saved Amarnath yatris from the landslides,” she recalled.
Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh cautioned that conspiracies were being hatched by vested interests to destabilize PDP-BJP Govern-ment but declared that such elements will not succeed.
Dr Singh said the PDP-BJP Government was committed to equitable development of all three regions of Jammu and Kashmir and with the help of people, he added, the Government would succeed in its mission.
Nirmal Singh said the Government has planned to develop and promote several places of tourism in untouched areas to give boost to employment and help the local people.
He promised all round development of the State under PDP-BJP Government in the State.
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