Azad urges all parties to participate in May Roundtable

Jammu, Apr 20 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has expressed the hope that all political parties and separatist outfits, including the Hurriyat Conference, would participate in the Roundtable conference to be held in Srinagar next month.

Addressing a public gathering at Rajouri, Mr Azad said the Srinagar Roundtable conference, to be chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan singh, would help resolve the issue and create a peaceful atmosphere in the state.

Mr Azad said far-flung and backward areas of the state have suffered the most during the last 16 years. The process of development has been initiated and attention is being paid for speedy development in these areas.

The Chief minister said all villages of the state would be covered under road connectivity programme, drinking water supply mission and electrification schedule during the next four years.

The drive against corruption has been successful with the guilty being brought to book, Mr Azad said.

He also praised Dr Singh for his efforts including various Confidence Building Measures with Pakistan. He said he was hopeful that such efforts would yield positive results on all fronts.

UNI RKS AK DS151