Open traditional routes to state: CM

Tribune News Service & PTI

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Jammu, December 16

Advocating opening of historic routes in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has pleaded for opening up the state to the outside world and opportunities.

Addressing the India Ideas Conclave-2017 in Panaji Goa on Friday, Mehbooba said the geographical location of the state made it a gateway to the Central Asia and that position ought to be usedfor opening up its people to the outside world. “By opening the traditional and historic routes in the state, we shall be writing new history,” she added.

She suggested making J&K a model state with connectivity all across so that it becomes a model for SAARC cooperation in the region. “Let’s make it a model for a cooperation at a bigger scale in the region,” she said.

On the problems being faced by the people of the state, the Chief Minister said it was the duty of every citizen of the country to come forward and help J&K in coming out of these uncertainties.

“People of the state ought to be given a sense of belonging because the idea of India is incomplete without the idea of J&K. Reconciliation is the way ahead,” she added.

On forming government in the state, Mehbooba said though both the PDP and the BJP had ideological differences on many issues, the idea of alliance was aimed to get J&K out of the present situation of uncertainty, end the inter-regional discord in the state and connect the people of the state with their counterparts in rest of the country.

Responding to a question from a participant about the possibility of adopting a soft approach towards the separatists in the Valley.

“We need to have a healing touch policy. It does not mean (going) soft. If tomorrow, the court lets (hardline separatist leader) Masarat Alam go, in a democracy, what can you do?

“If he (Masarat) goes to the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court says there is nothing against him now and that you can’t hold him back anymore, what will you do?” she asked.

Mehboobaspeak

• Not only the government but entire society in Kashmir wants Pandit families back honourably
• There is a need to go back to the era of Atal Bihari Vajpayee while referring to opening of the LoC routes and ceasefire on border
• Kashmiriyat is deep-rooted to be affected by any outside influence
• With the appointment of an interlocutor, the way forward for reconciliation has been laid out