Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 15: Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, today welcomed the Indo-Pak ceasefire agreement and hoped that peace along the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC) will prevail and there will be an end to flare up.
Speaking at the Attestation-cum-Passing-Out-Parade of the 12th Batch of 385 trainee recruits at Manigam in the Central Kashmir district of Ganderbal, the Chief Minister hoped that both India and Pakistan will work to strengthen the existing mechanism so that peace holds and prevents regular border flare-ups, which play havoc with those residing close to borders and the LoC.
Mufti said that people of the State bear the brunt of violence when guns roar on the borders. “Both New Delhi and Islamabad will have to resolve the issues to allow peace to return on borders and the LoC,” he said
Quoting former Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee that friends can be changed but not neighbours, Mufti said that both the countries have to resolve the issues for the lasting peace in the region.
Mufti said that when he became Chief Minister for the first time in 2002, Kashmir resembled a prison where people felt a sense of incarceration. “Our initiatives to bring people out of despondency were just like a breath of fresh air. We will tread the same path this time also,” he said. He highlighted his achievements on development front during his three-year tenure, between 2002 and 2005.
Referring to the exodus of refugees, who are escaping violence in several countries in the Middle East and North Africa, to Europe, the Chief Minister decried those forces who preach the language of violence in the name of religion. “The time when one needed to prove his superiority with atomic bombs and guns is over. It is an age where people are fighting battles to improve benchmarks in progress and development,” he stated.
Mufti said that Jammu and Kashmir Police is one of the most professional forces in the country. He said that the force has taken a lead role in very difficult and trying circumstances and fulfilled its responsibility. “Over the last six months, the Police have faced certain challenging situations, which they have dealt very admirably,” he added.
Congratulating the pass-out recruits, the Chief Minister said it is a police constable who maintains link with people at the grassroots’ level. He said he wants to emulate western countries in having a well-defined career progression policy for those policemen who take a lead in curbing crimes of different nature confronting the society. “I hope that the new recruits will remain active in service and display sympathetic attitude towards general public,” he added.
Mufti assured that he will take steps to modernize police force so that it is able to perform its duties more effectively.
Chief Minister said the Government has huge challenges to overcome in agriculture, education, employment and communication network fronts. He thanked the Centre for its support in expediting repairs on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, which was in a critical condition when he took over in March earlier this year. “Road connectivity is our priority. We want to reduce distances so that people come closer to each other,” he said.
Director General of Police, K Rajendra, said that the recruits have been given training with latest scientific aids and sensitized in minimal use of force while dealing with law-and-order situations. “The department will also organize reorientation and refresher courses for police personnel to gain expertise in tackling cyber crime, community policing, respect for human rights and investigations,” he added.
Earlier, the Chief Minister took guard-of-honour and salutation at Passing-Out-Parade where the recruits presented an attractive march-past. He also presented prizes among those recruits who excelled in their training.
While Arshad Ahmad was declared the best all-round cadet with one-rank promotion, constables, Abid Ashraf and Vinod Kumar, were the first and second runners up.
Minister for Transport, AG Kohli, Advisor to the Chief Minister, Prof Amitabh Mattoo, Minister of State for PHE, I&FC & Forest, Ecology and Environment, Abdul Majeed Padder, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Asiya Naqash and Director General of Police K Rajendra were present on the occasion.
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