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Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, May 14: Maintaining that Kashmir was a politically settled issue, Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh today said that questioning the Instrument of Accession is like denying the very existence of Pakistan as a State.
“J&K became part of the Indian Union with the signing of the Instrument of Accession, which was legally done under the Indian Independence Act 1947. The Pakistan also came into existence under the same Act. So questioning the legality of J&K’s accession amounts to challenging the existence of Pakistan,” he said while talking to media persons, here today, after a high level meeting to review the progress of ongoing developmental projects in Jammu Division.
While elaborating, Dr Singh said the Princely State, which joined India, signed Instrument of Accession under the Independence Act and thus legally became an inseparable part of the Indian Union. Therefore, he added, J&K is as much an Indian State as is Pakistan a separate country.
“Politically everything was settled with the signing of Instrument of Accession in 1947 and hence there is no more political issue in respect of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said and also ruled out holding talks withy anyone outside the ambit of Indian Constitution.
“In Kashmir, we are fighting a proxy war and other things are camouflaged. The core issue is not Kashmir but terrorism and our Government is committed to wipe it out from the State,” the Dy CM stressed and added that the ongoing movement in the Valley was nothing but only an attempt of Talibanisation to make Kashmir another Syria.
Dr Singh further said that there was resentment among people of Kashmir over murder of unarmed Lieutenant Ummar Fayaz, who was on leave to attend a marriage party. “By doing this, militants have been exposed and Kashmiris have resentment over the killing of young officer,” he said.
On repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistan, Dr Singh said that the Government has given a free hand to Army and BSF to retaliate effectively and the force were responding befittingly. “These frequent ceasefire violations on border are desperation of
Pakistan to hide its failures and divert attention from the internal strife as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharief has become politically weak,” he added
In response to another query regarding apprehensions over peaceful conduct of upcoming Amarnath Yatra, the DyCM sought to assure that pilgrims and tourists need not worry as State Government has chalked out detailed strategy with Core Groups to ensure the security and deal strongly with militants and their sympathizers.
The DyCM, who also holds the portfolio of Housing and Urban Development Department, said that he took a detailed review of works under different Centrally Sponsored Schemes and flagship programmes including Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), Housing for All (HFA), Smart City, and National Urban Livelihood Mission and various other key projects for traffic decongestion, intelligent traffic lights system, multi-tier parking and modernization of general bus stand Jammu.
“I have directed the concerned to expedite pace of work on respective projects for their completion in stipulated time and proper utilization of funds with timely submission of utilization certificates thereof which can considerably reduce delays in project completion,” he said and announced that laxity towards project implementation will be severely dealt with and strict action will be taken against the non-performing and erring officers.
Announcing that by December 31, 2017, Jammu will become Open Defecation Free (ODF) city, the DyCM said that major projects apace in Jammu shall ensure better amenities to the people and change the developmental scenario.
Commissioner/Secretary Housing and Urban Development Department, Hirdesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner, M. K. Bhandari, IGP Jammu, Dr S D Singh, Commissioner Jammu Municipal Corporation, M Raju among other senior officers of various departments were also present on the occasion.
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