Sinha suggests EU type set-up for peace and progress in J

Srinagar, Oct 20 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha today said the Line of Control (LoC) should be transformed into Line of Peace and Prosperity and a European Union like set up evolved to usher progress and development in the strife-torn state.

''Solution to problems in Kashmir should be a win win situation for all - India, Pakistan and the people of Jammu and Kashmir. This will not emerge overnight and is going to take time...The formation of European Union too was a long drawn process,'' he told the Army officials from the United States, the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka, at present undergoing a course at the National Defence College.

Gen Sinha told them that the level of violence in the troubled state has reduced and the situation was fast improving. Compared to peak period of militancy, near normalcy now prevailed in Jammu and Kashmir, he added.

Notwithstanding isolated incidents of violence, he said there has been a discernible change in the overall scenario in the state with the government focusing on development and welfare of the people.

With situation improving, a candid message has gone across the world that Kashmir was not on fire, Gen Sinha said, adding the old misconception of the overall scenario in the Valley was changing.

India and Pakistan should together fight the common enemy of poverty, ignorance and disease, he said, adding the people of the two countries were longing for peace and tranquility in the region, imperative for development and prosperity.

The Governor said both the counties have been showing flexibility in their approach and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has given up the demand of the implementation of UN Resolutions on plebiscite.

On plebiscite, he elaborated that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have time and again demonstrated their preference for India through elections and the Constituent Assembly had ratified the Instrument of Accession.

In the 1965 war, people of Kashmir showed their preference for India over Pakistan. General Mohammed Musa, the then Pakistan Army Chief in his book 'My Version' has stated that their offensive failed because of lack of support from Kashmiris.

About the ongoing proxy war, Gen Sinha said the people of Jammu and Kashmir have always rejected the alien cult of violence as it goes against their great Sufi traditions which stand for brotherhood, peace and amity.

He, however, said the situation changed with emergence of fundamentalism in 1970s in the wake of petro dollars that had its bearing on Kashmir too. The Sufi traditions, cherished by the older generation, got eroded but is still alive among them, he added.

The Governor said the younger generation got misled by malicious propaganda and became tools of terrorism perpetrated from across the border. Their attitude was now changing and they were wanting to make a success of their lives by acquiring skills and doing well in their chosen profession, he added.

Gen Sinha dwelt on the tribal raid, India taking its case to UN in 1948, wars fought in Kashmir and democracy in the state.

UNI AG ASM AK BD1642