Azad invites separatists to 3rd round-table conf

Srinagar, Aug 15: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today appealed to the separatists to participate in the third rond-table conference and asked the militants to abjure violence so that bloodshed was replaced by peace in the state.

He also called for peaceful settlement of all issues through dialogue and interaction.

Addressing a well-attended Independence Day function at Bakshi Stadium here, the Chief Minister said the time has come that everybody without any political and personal consideration rise to the occasion to seek atmosphere of peace, development and progress of the state.

Asking the gun-wielding youth to shun the path of violence, Mr Azad said history was witness to the fact that nothing could be achieved by bloodshed and violence. ''Sitting across the table is the only means to amicably resolve all the problems,'' he added.

Congratulating the people on the 60th Independence Day, the Chief Minister said freedom was attained after sacrifices by thousands of people under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi and stalwarts such as Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, Maulana Mohammad Ali Jowhar, Sardar Patel and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. At present, India has attained a place of respect and repute in the comity of nations, he added.

Mr Azad said when he took over as the Chief Minister, the state had been badly affected by October 8, 2005 earthquake. About a 1000 human lives had been lost, hundreds wounded and rendered homeless in Uri, Tangdhar, Teetwal, Poonch and other areas.

By the state government's liberal and timely action, he said the situation was successfully combated and every affected family provided with temporary shelters before the onset of winter.

The Chief Minister said new work culture was introduced to clean up the administration from the menace of corruption. A legislation providing for confiscation of property of corrupt officials was also enacted, he added.

''Only two days ago, 10 officials have been retired prematurely from the government service for corruption and inefficiency,'' he said and sought cooperation of all in his drive against corruption.

The war against corruption would continue till the scourge was removed from the face of the state, he added.

Mr Azad said a legislation banning defection by legislators was also enacted to end ''Aya Ram Gaya Ram'' system. The government has also enacted a law providing for downsizing of the ministry to reduce the burden on the state exchequer, he added. He said the Chief Minister's Gold Medal and cash prize of Rs one lakh would be given to honest and meritorious officials.

A long-pending demand for implementation of the Wazir Commission and the people's aspiration for new administrative units have been accommodated with the Cabinet approving creation of eight new districts, three sub-divisions and 13 tehsils in the state, he added.

Mr Azad said a Bill has also been passed for setting up a State Finance Commission to ensure equitable distribution of resources to all regions, sub-regions, districts, blocks and villages.

The Chief Minister said militancy has affected every field of life in the state during the past 17 years. Besides, tremendously increasing unemployment, it has affected development and progress, damaged public infrastructure and increased social evils.

''Jammu and Kashmir was once a frontline state in development, but now lags behind because of terrorism, which has rendered thousands orphans and widows while a large number of innocent people have fallen prey to terror acts. The Army, security and police personnel have given lives to combat militancy...so have politicians, intellectuals and innocent civilians,'' he added.

''I want to make it clear that the government is against any human rights violation. Whenever any complaint has been received in this regard, stern action has been taken against security forces and police. I also want to make it clear that nobody could be given license to kill,'' Mr Azad added.

During the past 59 years, he said many wars were fought between India and Pakistan, which resulted in bloodshed and destruction. A new beginning was made by India to get the people of both the countries out of hatred and bloodshed, thus paving the way for peace and development in the region.

UNI

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