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Srinagar, July 28 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Wednesday said violence had not provided an answer to problems in the past nor would it do so in future and stressed that shutdowns the state has seen in the last month would only cause public inconvenience and hamper children’s education.

‘When effective democratic means are available to register protests and put one’s viewpoint across, there is no reason for perpetrating violence and putting general public to hardships and difficulties,’ Abdullah said while addressing people in north Kashmir’s Handwara town.

‘My government is committed to facilitate dialogue between all shades of opinion in the state and the central government. We are positively working in this direction. We also favour sustained dialogue between India and Pakistan,’ he said.

Abdullah sought public support for the success of his efforts in this direction.

The chief minister said shutdowns only led to public discomfort and badly affected children’s education.

‘These tactics are in no way in anybody’s interest. These only mar the livelihood opportunities of poor and hamper the process of economic growth.’

‘When the platform of talks is available to all shades of opinion, what is the need of disturbing peaceful life of the people?’ he asked.

Abdullah took a dig at those instigating adolescent children to take to stone-pelting and said: ‘This is the most unfortunate behaviour of those politicians who mar the future of the young generation while protecting the interests of their own children’.

Representatives of the Handwara bar association, traders’ federation, fruit growers union, youth organisations and many prominent citizens spoke at the meeting and explained various aspects of development and the difficulties faced by the people in the area.

Wednesday’s interaction is part of the chief minister’s efforts to reach out to the people of the Kashmir Valley in order to end the cycle of violence that started June 11.

The valley has been virtually paralysed due to violent protests against civilians being killed in firing by security forces. At least 15 people have been killed in firing by security personnel across the Kashmir Valley since June 11.

The army had been called in to help maintain law and order as the violence spiralled.
[Story Source]

This post was submitted by virendra kumar yadav.