KL Report
New Delhi
Expressing satisfaction over the restoration of calm at LoC, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister, Omar Abdullah lauded the matured approach taken by the Indian government in this regard. He hoped that the peace will prevail and issues are sought our through talks amicably.
“The state has witnessed a saga of 22 years of militancy which has not ended fully yet. The LoC is more than fragile and escalation of tension on it makes peace initiatives vulnerable”, he said emphasizing the need for restraint to help cultivate tranquillity for addressing issues.
Replying questions in an interaction session, after addressing 3rd Annual Young Change-makers Conclave 2013 of the United Nations Information Centre for India and Bhutan (UNIC) on Saturtday, the J&K chief minister said that the approach and response by the central leadership to deal with the LoC escalation issue was matured and praiseworthy.
Omar Abdullah said that the graph of violence during the last some years have shown gradual decrease and measures were on to maintain the peaceful situation and strike fine balance between the availability of security forces and the demand of the situation. He said the incidents of violence have been less than five percent now as against their numbers in 2002. However, he said that militancy has not totally ended in the Valley.
Replying a question on human rights, Omar said that in order to reply the questions pertaining to human rights and satisfy the different queries on this subject, he has been advocating constitution of Truth and Reconciliation Commission. “It is for the reason of finding answers to so many questions relating to various aspects of human rights, I am time and again advocating constitution of Truth and Reconciliation Commission”, he said.
On return of Kashmiri Pandits back to Valley, Omar said that his government is keen in this regard and creating conducive atmosphere both economically and in terms of security to remove threat perception from their minds and help their return back. He said Kashmiri Pandits are integral part of Kashmiriyat which represents Jammu and Kashmir’s pluralistic cultural ethos adding that without Kashmiri Pandits Kashmir is incomplete. “However, we cannot force them to return but to create a peaceful and amicable situation so that they return back willingly”, he said.
Omar Abdullah said that participation of youth is imperative to make difference on socio-economic spectrum of the country. “You have to come forward, participate in the field you choose with commitment and determination and be instrumental in the positive change”, he told the young people asking them to take part in strengthening democracy and bringing positivity in it by exercising their right to vote in large numbers. “Your participation in election process in a large numbers is all the more necessary to bring the required change”, he added.
Describing youth agents of change and means of bringing positivity and transparency in socio-economic and political scenario of the Country, Omar Abdullah underlined their role as managers of new world order with ‘do more’ its buzz word.
“We are at the threshold of transformation and our human resource has already cast its impact globally”, he said emphasizing the need of nurturing, grooming and encouraging younger generation to take over as capable, careful and delivering managers in the process of development, social reforms and public good. He underscored the importance of larger participation of youth in all fields of life to realize this goal.
Two hundred young leaders, students, entrepreneurs, diplomats, social activists and media representatives together with experts from business, politics, sports, public policy and arts are participating in the conclave.
