news details |
|
|
| Coalition appeals militants to shun violence | | Speakers hailed efforts of Indian, Pakistani leaders for resolving ‘K’ issue | | Srinagar, Jan 26
While police and paramilitary troopers maintained vigil on empty streets on the eve of 58h Republic Day celebrations that passed peacefully, senior minister in coalition government appealed militants to shun violence. Similar functions at district headquarters too passed off peacefully while speakers hailed the efforts of Indian and Pakistani leaders for resolving the Kashmir issue.
Normal life, however, came to a complete halt following a bandh call by separatist groups and militants on the eve of 58th Republic Day celebrations. People stayed indoors and traffic completely remained off the roads across Kashmir valley. Shops and other commercial establishments too remained closed.
At the main Republic Day function at Srinagar's Bakhshi Stadium, senior People's Democratic Party leader and Agriculture Minister in JK's coalition government, Abdul Aziz Zargar unfurled the tri-colour and took the guard of honour. Zargar vowed to take the peace process to its logical and appealed militants to shun violence.
"I appeal those who have taken to violence, to shun the path and join the mainstream. They are our dear ones and we shall be happy to see them back in mainstream," Zargar said.
In another function at north Kashmir Baramulla district, finance minister in Azad led coalition government, Tariq Hameed Qaraa, made similar appeals to gun yielding youth and suggested them to take politics as a full time career. "'I urge the local militants to ponder over what has gun given to us," he said.
While stating that Indian constitution was flexible enough to provide for Self Rule – People's Democratic Party's formula for the resolution of Kashmir issue – Zargar said that self rule addressed the internal as well as external dimensions of the dispute.
"The federal structure of the constitution has provided for a special status for Jammu and Kashmir through article 370. It is the article 370 that has ensured in preserving the identity of Kashmir," Zargar said in his address at Bakhshi Stadium.
"Such is the flexibility that our martyrs who fought for our independence helped us frame our own constitution. Among more than 25 states in India, Kashmir is the only state to have its own constitution."
Hailing the efforts of Pakistan President General Parvaiz Musharraf, Zargar said that former is held in high esteem by people in the state after his consistent efforts to solve the Kashmir issue. Zargar said that the process initiated by Vajpayee with Musharraf and further continued by Manmohan Singh together with the Pakistan president will definitely bear fruit.
"And I can tell you through my experience that our Indian constitution has such much diversity and flexibility that it can provide for Self Rule, thus addressing the internal and external dimensions of the problem," Zargar said.
While the Republic Day function passed off peacefully, entire valley observed a complete strike following the bandh call by separatists. Paramilitary troopers patrolled empty streets in Srinagar city as people preferred to stay indoors and no traffic was seen plying on the roads.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
