Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 25: Urging restoration of complete peace and ceasefire on the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) with Pakistan, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president, Mehbooba Mufti today said the two countries can’t ignore the yearning for peace in Jammu and Kashmir without pushing the region into more miseries.
Addressing a number of roadside meetings in Dooru segment of her Anantanag Parliamentary constituency, she said the PDP wants to make it clear to the national leadership and the Government of Pakistan that the people of the State would resist through all democratic means the heightening of tension between the two countries. District president Peer Mohammad Hussain, senior leader Party’s nominated candidate for Doru Syed Farooq Andrabi, Shameema Andrabi and others were also present on this occasion.
Mehbooba said while temperatures are raised as a result of war room tactical games, the only sufferers are the people of J&K. She said it is the life and property and sense of security of the people of J&K which are in the line of fire and her party would channelize and strongly register the opposition of the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh to war mongering and use of weapons across the LoC and IB. She said every bullet or a mortar shell fired hits only the residents of this State whether they are on this side or the other.
Stressing the need for building a strong peace initiative from within the State, she said more than a decade back the then Prime Minister, Vajpayee in an impressive display of statesmanship had opened a new chapter in the blood soaked history of India and Pakistan by responding to the urge for peace and dignified resolution during his historic visit to Srinagar. “The people of the state especially those living in border areas had experienced an entirely new found peace and environment of security after the 2003 ceasefire with Pakistan,” she said.
Mehbooba said till then the only demand of the people living in these areas was about providing shelter and bunkers but post ceasefire these people who suffered for decades had picked up threads of life once again and tried to give themselves some stability in an environment of normalcy. The cross-LoC Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) had strengthened this feeling of normalcy and generated hope for future and the PDP remains committed to work for strengthening the peace initiatives.
Conveying her sympathy and solidarity to the families of victims of firing on borders, Mehbooba said there is no reason why the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi should not employ similar peace offensive as the one initiated by Vajpayee with Pakistan.
Referring to the local problems Mehbooba said the people have brought to her notice the widespread complaints about non-availability of ration and water for irrigation and drinking purposes.
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