Over four years of strike days in Kashmir since 1990

Srinagar, May 28 (UNI) More than 1500 strike calls given by militants and their sympathisers since 1990 have wasted nearly four out of the past 16 years which completely halted the development and paralysed the economy of Jammu and Kashmir.

This was stated by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad here recently.

''In any part of the world, there may not be any organisation or political institution which on one hand claims to be sympathiser of the people and on the other is directly responsible for their economical harassment,'' Mr Azad said, apparently referring to Hurriyat and other separatists groups.

He said Kashmir was the only place in the globe where the people have been confined in their houses as a result of strikes and advised not to do their business during the period which comes to about four years thus completely paralysing the state's economy.

It was surprising that these elements (separatists) have taken the people of Kashmir for-granted and forced them to toe their lines of disaster, the Chief Minister added.

However, he expressed satisfaction that now the people in general have developed 'hate against violence', and were keen to see the revival of economy and trade activities.

Mr Azad said the militants have clearly drawn battle-lines between ''barbadi (disaster) and khushali (prosperity)''.

However, he said the state government was determined to bring normalcy and prosperity in the state whereas militants were making all efforts to undo that.

UNI AG PA GC1236