Amicable political solution in J&K needed: Abdullah

March 5, 2013 | Politics | Written by

Jammu, March 5: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah underlined the need for working out an amicable solution to political issues of the state in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Jammu, Kashmir, Leh and Kargil.

Replying to a debate on the motion of thanks to the governor’s address to both the houses of the state legislature, Abdullah said: “The task is tough but not impossible.”

He said it was not possible to find a solution that would have the approval of every citizen.

“But a solution with maximum support of people of all the regions of the state has to be found. We have to strive for it,” he said and expressed hope that the central government would address both domestic and international aspects of the political issues of Jammu and Kashmir.

He added: “Jammu and Kashmir has been reflected in the Shimla Agreement and there is need to engage Pakistan in a dialogue process.”

He said issues of Jammu and Kashmir are political and cannot be resolved either by money power or by the gun.

“We have seen neither gun nor money is answer to this issue,” he said.

Stating that peace is essentially important for resolving all issues and putting the state on the road to progress and prosperity, Abdullah said that during the last two years, peace had greatly rooted the people.

He said 2012 could be rated as the most peaceful year in the last 20 years. “Besides over 12-13 lakh visitors to the valley, the development process received a big fillip during 2012,” he said.

The chief minister said he would continue to advocate the gradual removal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from areas where there is no need for it and that of the army.

“I have not put this issue on the back burner. It is alive and we are continuously engaged with the central government on it,” he said, adding that a woman from the northeast has been on a hunger strike for the last 12 years demanding revocation of AFSPA.

Listing security, unemployment, corruption and electric supply as four important challenges before the government, Abdullah said his government had concentrated attention on all these issues and each one was being fully attended to.

IANS