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'JK to urge simpler travel procedures across LoC'

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu, Apr 18: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has called for simplifying travel procedures across the line of control (LoC).

Mr Azad, addressing public meetings at Surankote and Mendhar, said the state government would urge the Centre at the next roundtable on Kashmir at New Delhi to relax norms for people on both sides of the LoC.

''We will be discussing how to make the travel easier and comfortable from both sides of LoC. The Centre has already taken up the matter with Pakistan that people of both sides of LoC should be allowed to visit religious places besides facilitating cultural exchange, visits by students and mediapersons as well as trade,'' he said.

Hailing the roundtable initiative, the Chief Minister expressed the hope that all political parties, ethnic groups and opinion leaders from all the three regions would participate in the conference. ''In about last 60 years, for the first time a viable platform in the shape of roundtable conference has been provided to address all issues,'' Mr Azad said.

He said a three-pronged strategy put in place to address all issues relating to the strife-torn state has yielded encouraging results.

Mr Azad said not only the dialogue process between India and Pakistan was on the fast track but development and restoration of normalcy in the state has also recieved a considerable fillip.

In this connection the roads are being appropriately widened and upgraded.

''We would also like that Kargil-Skardu, Jhanggar-Mirpur Kotli and Suchetgarh-Sialkote roads are opened for travel, tourism and trade,'' the Chief Minister said.

The Chief Minister said improvement in relations between India and Pakistan has restored peace in border areas, resulting in normal agricultural and other activities.

Reiterating importance of peace in development process, Mr Azad said peaceful and conducive atmosphere was a must for speedier and integrated development.

Urging people to maintain mutual amity and secular traditions, he said, ''India's glory and strength is in its composite culture, secular ethos and democratic values.'' The Chief Minister said a new meaning has been given to development by introducing healthy work culture, accountability and monitoring.

''Liberal assistance by the central government and Prime Minister's Rs 24000 crore package has catapulted state's development scenario. The impact of massive development is visible on the ground in every area of the state,'' he said.


UNI

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