Opening routes, linking J&K with other countries will solve Kashmir: Mehbooba

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti addressing PDP youth convention in Jammu on Sunday. —Excelsior/Rakesh
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti addressing PDP youth convention in Jammu on Sunday. —Excelsior/Rakesh

Don’t give communal color to Kathua murder

Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Mar 4: Chief Minister and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti today proposed opening of cross-LoC routes and linking Jammu and Kashmir with other parts of the world just like China has done in that part of Kashmir (PoK), as a solution to Jammu and Kashmir problem saying “lands are not going to be changed and nothing new will happen”. Click here to watch video
The significant statement by Mehbooba Mufti came in her address to PDP Youth Convention here this afternoon.
“If someone asks me, what is the solution to Kashmir problem? I will say open Suchetgarh-Sialkot, Nowshera-Jhanghar, Kargil-Askardu and other such cross-LoC routes so that people of Jammu and Kashmir are connected to the world and can reach China, Uzbekistan, Iran etc, which will open up the opportunities of employment and development,” she said, pointing out that China has linked that part of Kashmir, a reference to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), with rest part of the world.
“Nothing new will happen. Lands won’t exchange,” she said.
She added that opening-up of cross-LoC routes will open the routes of development and employment.
Mehbooba’s significant statement comes close on the heels of similar assertion by her in the Legislative Assembly during which she had stated that whatever Jammu and Kashmir will get, it will get from India and nobody else.
Asserting that infiltration, militancy, fidayeen attacks, border skirmishes etc have halted  peace, employment and development in Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Minister said: “I need the help of youth to put an end to the circle of violence and, at the same time, promise to engage them to build a better future for the State.
“The more we increase active participation and partnership with the youth, the better we serve them. I reaffirm that our Government will do whatever it takes to engage the youth and help them build a better future for Jammu and Kashmir”.
Asserting that fidayeen attack on Sunjuwan Military Station last month was an attack to target Hindu-Muslim brotherhood, Mehbooba said it was aimed at provoking one community against another to make them fight but the people displayed maturity and didn’t allow this to happen.
“Unfortunately, some persons are trying to give communal color to murder of minor girl in Kathua. Here also, Hindu-Muslim brotherhood is under attack but we have to maintain it,” she said.
She added: “some people are trying to communalize the Kathua incident and vitiate the peaceful atmosphere but I have full faith that the people of Jammu will not allow them to succeed. Justice will prevail”.
Differences have cropped up between the Alliance partners, PDP and BJP over Kathua incident with two BJP Ministers backing demand of Hiranagar people for Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) probe into rape and murder of minor Gujjar girl while the PDP Ministers outrightly rejecting such a demand saying the people should have full faith in local police.
Mehbooba said there was vast tourism potential in Jammu and Kashmir but unfortunately; it couldn’t be utilized due to situation in Jammu and Kashmir, which is rocked by fidayeen and militant attacks and border tension,
“Thousands of people visit Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji, Amarnath Ji shrines, Ziarats and other places. Today, Arun Jaitley Ji (Finance Minister) said that youth of Jammu and Kashmir are very sensitive. However, they were facing the situation, wherein their potential couldn’t be utilized fully,” the Chief Minister said.
Referring to SRO 202, which has come under fire from the youth for being paid meager salary during initial phase of appointments in the Government jobs, Mehbooba assured the youths that the Government will work out a solution to it (the SRO).
“I have spoken to the Finance Minister (Dr Haseeb Drabu). We will find out a solution to it so that the youth recruited under SRO 202 gets good, handsome salaries like other appointees,” she said amidst thunderous applause and clapping from the youth at the convention.
Promising the youth transparency in recruitment, she said there was not even a single complaint of recruitments in Police, Services Selection Board and Public Service Commission.
Referring to complaints of irregularities in appointments of Khadi Village and Industry Board (KVIB), she said as soon as she received the complaint, she ordered an inquiry and directed that if there was anything wrong, it must be set right.
Lavishing praises on the people of Jammu for maintaining brotherhood, Mehbooba said the people of Jammu opened their hearts for Kashmiri Pandits, Muslims and shared everything with them.
“The ray of hope which Gandhi Ji used to see in Kashmir, was witnessed in Jammu during critical times of Kashmir. The people of Jammu stood with the people of Kashmir,” she said, but regretted that some forces want the two communities to fight and the people should be aware of this conspiracy.
She said the people of Kashmir get relieved when they cross Banihal tunnel as they feel safe in Jammu.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here