EU delegation acknowledges HR violations down in J

Srinagar, Sep 24 (UNI) Appreciating the steps taken by the Jammu and Kashmir government to reduce the Human Rights (HR) violations and its positive effect on the ground, a European Union delegation here today acknowldeged the sense of tolerance exhibited by the security forces during the counter-insurgency operations.

An official spokesman said the delegation comprising Finland Ambassador to India, Asko Nummminen, European Commission Ambassador Francisco Da Camara Gomes, Second Secretary, Embassy of Finland, Ms Anna Kaisa Ueikkinen, First Secretary and Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Portugal, Luis Manuel Boralho Sequeira and a representative from German Embassy called on Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad this evening and discussed various issues pertaining to developnment and the security scenario in the state.

The delegation appreciated the steps taken by the government to reduce the HR violation and its positive effect on the ground.

The Chief Minister, while interacting with the delegation, said both the Central and the state governments had initiated various measures for strengthening peace in the state, particularly starting the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service last year and the Poonch-Rawalakot bus service this year.

Mr Azad said that to make Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route more feasible and effective, steps were being taken to convert this route into a trade route across the Line of Control (LoC).

He expressed hope that once trade got started through this route, it would prove beneficial not only for the people across the borders but also strengthen the economies of both India and Pakistan.

Mr Azad said, ''We have always propagated that no problem can be solved through violence but dialogue is the only route which will lead the state towards everlasting peace.'' He said that seriousness of the centre particularly that of the Prime Minister in this direction was evident by convening series of round-table conferences and constitution of five working groups on Kashmir.

Mr Azad said all the five working groups had started working and prominent political parties and representatives of people of Jammu and Kashmir had joined these groups. He hoped that all the groups would submit their reports within stipulated period of six months.

UNI BAS PK RS1811