Third roundtable a success, says Azad

Srinagar, Apr 25 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today termed a ''success'' the third roundtable conference and asserted that the recommendations of working groups would be implemented within the next two months.

Addressing a public meeting at Larnoo in south Kashmir, about 110 km from here, he said the roundtable conference chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi deliberated upon the recommendations for more than 10 hours yesterday.

Rehabilitation of militancy victims, orphans, widows, destitute and those rendered unemployed were among the matters that came up for discussion at the conclave, Mr Azad added.

He said matters pertaining to travel by the people from both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) and promotion of trade and tourism were also discussed at the meeting.

Describing the third roundtable conference a success, the Chief Minister said representatives of all political parties, ethnic and social groups, gujjars, bakerwals, paharis, scheduled castes, Ladakhis, Kargilis, border residents, intelligentsia and others participated in the deliberations.

Mr Azad said the recommendations of working groups would be implemented within the next two months to provide succour to the insurgency-affected people of the state. ''Within the next two months, the process of implementation will begin,'' he added.

Expressing dismay over non-participation of certain groups, the Chief Minister said they have lost a historic opportunity to put forth their viewpoint, apparently referring to the separatists.

Mr Azad emphasised the importance of peace for development, saying every citizen has a stake in peace.

''I have come to awaken the people against vested interests whose sole agenda is to disturb the tranquility and fish in troubled waters. We will not allow this situation to continue,'' he added.

Expressing satisfaction over the improved relations between India and Pakistan, Mr Azad said the ongoing dialogue process between the two countries has made the borders peaceful and provided congenial atmosphere to carry forward welfare schemes.

He said the multi-pronged development strategy with strong monitoring vigil has been put in place to create a new era of prosperity and speedy progress in every field in the state.

The Chief Minister said power, road connectivity, employment generation, water supply and healthcare have been placed on the priority list of his government.

The Rs 24000 crore Prime Minister's reconstruction plan has catapulted public infrastructure development in the state and next four years would yield the desired results, he added.

Mr Azad expressed gratitude to UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and the Prime Minister for taking a keen interest in the development of the strife-torn state.

About the action taken against those police officers found involved in fake encounters, he said the step was exemplary and vindicated the state government's firm determination to check the human rights violations at every level.

UNI