PM speaks of 'new pathways' to peace in Kashmir

New Delhi, Aug 15: India remains committed to walking the ''new pathways'' to peace in Jammu and Kashmir even as it tries to crush the ugly head of terrorism and protect its secular fabric from the thousand cuts inflicted by those who want to hurt it, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declared today.

''While terrorism has been raising its ugly head time and again, we have also seen peace having its victories. The people of Jammu and Kashmir continue to face the wrath of terrorism. But they have also seen new rays of hope for peace and progress,'' he said in his Independence Day address to the nation.

''New links of connectivity have brought people on both sides of the Line of Control closer - Srinagar to Muzaffarabad, Poonch to Rawalkot.

''Through the Round Table Conferences, we have started a dialogue with all political groups and parties of Jammu and Kashmir. We are jointly exploring new pathways to build a better tomorrow for its people - a tomorrow where they can live in peace and dignity, free from fear, want and exploitation''.

Earlier in his speech, while speaking of the Mumbai blasts and reiterating the Government's resolve to neutralise and smash terrorist elements, he remarked: ''Let those who want to hurt us by inflicting a thousand cuts remember - no one can break our will, or unity. No one can make India kneel''.

UNI

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