Translate CBMs into real benefits in J

Srinagar, Jul 26 (UNI) Warning that escalating public cynicism could threaten the very essence of the peace process, patron of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said Centre should immediately translate Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) into real benefits in Jammu and Kashmir.

The people of Jammu and Kashmir have waited too long for the CBMs and the Centre should immediately implement them so that the real benefit could reach to the people, Mr Sayeed said at a series of meetings with PDP office bearers after his return from US.

He warned that the escalating public cynicism has now started threatening the very essence of the peace process.

Mr Sayeed said the recent mass agitation over the diversion of land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) precariously manifested the intense undercurrent of resurrecting disquiet and disillusionment fermenting among the people.

''While acknowledging the public unrest, the government instantly responded to the situation by revoking the order, it should not be brushed aside as an just-the-once incident,'' he said and cautioned that similar challenging situations could erupt again if steps were not taken to speed up and consolidate the confidence building and reconciliation process for the ultimate resolution of the Kashmir issue.

Mr Sayeed said the much-needed peace process initiated in 2003 had started transforming the situation positively, not only within Jammu and Kashmir but throughout the sub-continent.

He said the alienation levels of the public had perceptibly gone down and the overall atmosphere was that of respite and reconciliation.

Mr Sayeed said Kashmir had, for the first time, started radiating peace, rather than war-cry woes across the borders.

He said during this period, the inter-regional and inter-community harmony, within the State had also started showing visible elements of amiability and reconciliation with no discordant voices emerging from any region.

The PDP patron said, unfortunately, to the great detriment of the peace efforts, the political impetus to the confidence building process had started waning discernibly, both within the State and at the bilateral level, during the past few years.

''I believe that given the expectations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir with the peace process and the faith they had reposed in the democratic institutions, there is every reason to trust them and revive the peace process with political courage through concrete initiatives,'' he said and added that without getting discouraged by the recent acts of violence or giving in to the hawkish rhetoric, we must reinforce our resolve to work through peaceful means and through public participation towards restoration of permanent peace in the State and the region.

The Government of India, Mr Sayeed said should to make the first move in this direction by initiating with political courage the process of simultaneous implementation of the J&K-related inter and intra-state CBMs including rehabilitation of the victims of violence and allowing free movement of people and goods across the borders in the State.

Mr Sayeed asked the PDP cadres to get going with renewed dynamism as the party would to play a crucial role in shaping up a peaceful, dignified and prosperous future for Jammu and Kashmir.

UNI BAS GT CS1808