In United HQ meet, CM calls for end to border miseries

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, October 25

As the ceasefire violation continues along the Line of Control and the International Border, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today called for immediate de-escalation of the situation along the border “to put an end to the miseries of the people.”

Mehbooba also called for a dialogue between India and Pakistan, saying the prevailing challenging situation along the border in Jammu and Kashmir necessitates the urgency of reviving the composite dialogue process “sooner the better”.

“Ways and means shall have to be explored immediately to bring an end to the sufferings of the hapless people subjected to immense miseries over the past few months because of the continuous cross-border shelling and escalation of violence in the state and the region,” the Chief Minister said while presiding over a meeting of the Unified Headquarters at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre here.

The Chief Minister also condemned the killing of 60 police cadets in a terror attack on a police training academy in Quetta, Pakistan. “My heart goes out to the families who lost their loved ones in the fresh violence, both along the borders and at the police academy in Quetta, in which they had no role to play,” she said.

The senseless violence, the Chief Minister said, was the common enemy of the people in both countries as the “scourge of bloodshed has devoured their lives”.

She said only coordinated political effort at the highest levels in New Delhi and Islamabad would eliminate the menace of violence and usher the region into an era of peace and prosperity. Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh and top brass of the civil administration, Army, police, BSF, CRPF, Central and state intelligence agencies were present at the meeting.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister was briefed about wide-ranging issues, including the emerging security scenario in the Kashmir valley, situation along the border and steps taken to address issues arising out of the cross-border shelling.

The Chief Minister called for making efforts at the political and civil society levels to revive the peace and reconciliation process for the larger good of the people “sandwiched in a gory situation”.

Mehbooba said the cross-border shelling had seen a humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region with people fleeing their homes and scurrying for the safety. “This disquieting scenario has to end to facilitate the people live peacefully in their homes and hearths,” she said.

She reiterated that people in J&K had always been the worst sufferers in such hostile situations. Calling for a dialogue between India and Pakistan, she said the hostile and alarming situation along the border and the LoC should keep reminding the two countries of the inevitability of sitting across the table to find a just and pragmatic solution to all contentious issues.

While recalling the recent statement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, wherein he called on Pakistan to jointly wage a war against poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and infant mortality, she said: “It is high time that both countries come together without any further delay and start a final war against violence, terrorism and the social and economic deprivation plaguing the region.”