Professionals appeal for peace in J and K

New Delhi, Aug 21 (UNI) Several professionals from Jammu and Kashmir today called for a dialogue between leaders from both the regions of the state for ending the 'spiral of violence' on the Amarnath land issue and demanded that a committee of eminent people be constituted to remove the impasse.

In a joint appeal, the professionals also urged the central and state governments to guarantee safe and free movement of people and goods from Kashmir valley to the rest of the country and vice versa.

In a signed statement, they urged all forces to desist from the ''move to divide'' the state on ethnic and religious lines and end the spiral of violence in the state. They urged the civil society to initiate a dialogue and restore trust.

The statement said the decision of the committee of eminent citizens should be binding on both central and state governments.

The statement was signed among others by journalists Rahul Jalali and Iftikhar Gilani, theatre personality M K Raina, Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Kapil Kak, National Peace Movement Convenor Subodh Mukoo, Prof Mohd Aslam Mir and Abdul Qayoom Dar.

UNI RB PK HT1714