Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Dec 20: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today asked the moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Omar Farooq to hold unconditional talks with Centre and work out solution to Jammu and Kashmir centric political issues acceptable to all stakeholders.
While addressing a gathering in the old city area of Srinagar after inaugurating the restored old heritage Zainakadal Timber Bridge and laying foundation for new downstream bridge in Zainakadal area, Omar said that militancy has achieved nothing except death and destruction and the dialogue is the only way forward.
While referring to the Pakistan visit of the leaders of the moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference, the Chief Minister said: “After returning from Pakistan they should also talk to Indian leadership. No one has put any condition for talks to them.”
Omar said that separatists should put their agenda before the people and accordingly initiate dialogue with Government of India unconditionally. He said that the Government didn’t put any hurdle in their Pakistan visit and in fact facilitated their visit by issuing them passports.
While welcoming talks between Hurriyat Conference leaders and Islamabad, he emphasized similar dialogue between them and New Delhi. “Lopsided dialogue process would not yield any result”, he added.
Omar also asked the hard-line separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani to join the dialogue process for peace and prosperity of the State and its people.
The Chief Minister said: “It is a universal truth that militancy has achieved nothing and dialogue is only way forward to settle problems, the other separatist group (led by Geelani) should also get involved in talks to address complex issues for the good of general public and peace and prosperity of the State.”
Omar said peace is imperative for development and it will generate wide-ranging economic activities and employment opportunities for people of the State in general and youth in particular. “We have to work together to maintain peace for development of the State”, he added.
Describing Old city heart of Srinagar, Omar said that this part of the city has faced maximum brunt of the militancy since 1989. He said in fact economic prosperity, education, health, trade and daily life in the entire State got affected but this area bore severe brunt and its economy and development received heavy jolt.
The Chief Minister said: “We want to showcase the heritage, handicrafts and art and artisans of this area at international tourist map and rope in visitors from all over the country and aboard here.”
Omar said over 12 lakh visitors visited Kashmir this year galvanizing the economy of a huge chunk of population dependent on tourism activities. “Rest Houses and Hoteliers in Raj Bagh, Jawahar Nagar and Upper Town have relished the economic benefits by the tourist flow”, he added.
Chief Minister said that his Government wants development of infrastructure and facilities in Old city to attract direct flow of tourists to this place so that economic benefits of tourist industry are shared by the people of this area equally.
Omar said Zainakadal, Maharaj Gunj and other areas in Old city are known for heritage and there are shrines of renowned religious scholars and saints in this area which could be properly showcased for heritage and pilgrim tourism.
Seeking co-operation of people of interior city for maintaining peace and calm, the Chief Minister said the area has bore the major brunt of violence over the years in the State.
“(Militant) attacks, stone-pelting, firing, crackdown (by security forces) and curfews …All took place here. Shops and schools used to remain shut for six days a week and patient care suffered a lot,” Omar said.
He said his Government is paying special attention to mitigate the problems of the people of interior city, popularly known as ‘Shehr-e-Khas’ and expects full co-operation of the people of the area in maintaining peace and clam.
The Chief Minister said he is working on a plan to attract tourists to ‘Shehr-e-khas’.
“Srinagar is not just Mughal gardens…I want to bring the tourists to ‘Shehr-e-khas’ to show them the heritage. We want these areas to come on the tourist map of the country so that business here gets a fillip,” he said.
Referring to the renovated bridge, Omar said when the project came up for discussion, there were some voices for dismantling the wooden bridge to pave way for a cemented link.
“I straight away rejected the idea and supported renovation of the bridge to enable safeguard this important heritage structure,” Omar said, adding this is only one of the few wooden bridges left in the city.
He said he ordered construction of the cemented bridge in the close vicinity of the heritage bridge for vehicular traffic.
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