Mufti appeals people not to allow events to harm peace process

Jammu, June 2 (UNI) Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today appealed to the people to strengthen the platform of dialogue and reconciliation and not allow any isolated incident to harm the ongoing peace prospects.

Addressing a People's Democratic Party workers' rally of six districts of Jammu region at Gandhi Nagar here, Mr Sayeed said, ''Time has thrown a window of opportunity for all of us to achieve the goal of long lasting dignified peace in the state and it is thus the prime duty of every citizen not to let it go waste''.

Terming the PDP-Congress alliance as value based, Mr Sayeed appreciated the UPA government for the liberal assistance in terms of the Prime Minister's reconstruction plan.

He said the Congress-PDP alliance has state and national significance and is governed by a common minimum programme. He stressed the state is poised to become a free economic zone with the resumption of trade on the Jhelum valley road and hoped procedural formalities for the trans-loc routes would be simplified so that borders become practically irrelevant as suggested by the Prime Minister. He alsodemanded opening the Suchetargh-Sialkote road for traffic and trade.

Mr Sayeed said India has shown tremendous flexibility on the issue of restoration of peace in the state and it is necessary that the initiative is now consolidated by mobilising public opinion. He said PDP would continue to play a pioneering role in facilitating the peaceful resolution on the issue. He also urged militants to contribute towards the peaceful long lasting solution to the issue and shun violence.

Speaking on the performance and achievements of the coalition government, he said, aspirations and problems of people need to be given vent. He, however, expressed dissatisfaction over the performance of some ministers of his party and urged upon them to adopt responsive and realistic approach towards the problems of the people. He also underscored the need for maintaining proper co-ordination with the functioning of government under the leadership of the Chief Minister.

UNI RKS PR VV1948