Excelsior Correspondent
KISHTWAR, Sept 12: While welcoming the positivity exhibited by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh during his four-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, senior People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader and MLC Firdous Ahmad Tak today said it has vindicated the party’s approach to find an amicable solution for all vexed problems confronting the State.
Tak expressed his gratitude to the Government of India for assuring the people of the State that the Centre would never undermine the sentiments of the people regarding the State’s special status in general and Article 35-A in particular.
“The positivity exhibited by Union Home Minister during his visit will go a long way in restoring the faith of the people which has been shaken by the recent hullaballoo over Article 35-A. His remarks that the Centre would not go against the sentiments of the people will become harbinger of peace and it will restore the losing confidence of the people,” Tak said while addressing a public meeting in Nagseni area.
PDP legislator was accompanied by Zonal president Arshad Giri, Haji Muhammad Iqbal, State secretary Youth Umar Malik, District president Youth Wasil Doolwal, Rajesh Kumar, Ajaz Ahmed, Sajad Ahmed, Gulab Chand, Krishan Lal, Shehzad Ahmed and others.
Terming the Union Home Minister’s statement on Article 35-A as “significant and historic”, the PDP leader said his assurances would help in subsiding and silencing the noise against it.
The MLC also said that Rajnath Singh’s positive outreach and his offer to meet anyone who wants to help in finding a permanent solution to unrest in J&K have vindicated the PDP’s stand that the key of a lasting peace and prosperity for the people of State lies in dialogue, confidence building and putting balm on the wounds of people affected by the bloodshed.
Tak also lauded the five C’s-compassion, communication, co-existence, confidence-building and consistency- formula for permanent solution to the Kashmir problem and said the Centre should take a step forward to make the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assurance during his Independence-day speech that Kashmir issue can be resolved by embracing Kashmiris.
Hailing the Centre’s announcement regarding increase in the Prime Minister’s Developmental Package to around Rs One lakh crore, the PDP leader sought a special package for the people of Chenab Valley, comprising Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban, to bring economic and social reforms.