Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 22: Maintaining that transformation is going to take place in the State, PDP supremo and former Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, today said his party’s struggle for change of system and to make J&K a land of peace will definitely bear fruit.
Addressing a one day convention of PDP’s Minority Cell at Bohri near here today, he, however, said this is not possible without the cooperation of Pandits who are the aborigines of Kashmir Valley and who have played a remarkable role in Kashmir history in all times including freedom struggle.
Mufti Sayeed said July 28, 1999, was a historic day and a turning point in J&K history when PDP came into being. The Party resolved to fight for strengthening the democratic system in J&K, which was facing nepotism, corruption and where there was no rule of law.
“It is my Party’s endeavor to take you back with honour and dignity to Kashmir and I will struggle for achieving this goal till my last breath’’ he said, adding the Pandits have also to struggle for their rights and even not hesitate in snatching them.
It was only with this objective that my Party started dialogue with the community which can play a remarkable role in transformation of system in the State, he said. “You have been uprooted from Valley and during my Government from 2002 to 2005 many steps were taken for restoring the confidence of the people in democratic set up and to set an example of good governance 60,000 youth were appointed as ReTs while 30,000 youth were appointed in Anganwari without spending any penny’’, he added.
He said the Pandit youth living in Kashmir were also absorbed in Government services during PDP rule and old age and widow pension was dispersed at the door steps of the people. He maintained that to make system transparent one has to take bold initiatives.
He said during his regime efforts were made that every individual in the State should have sense of security whether living in far-flung area of Rajouri or Parankote in Reasi.
Lauding the role of Late Maharaja Hari Singh, Mufti said he was a visionary who introduced the State Subject and duel citizenship law in J&K. It was Maharaja who brought law during his rule when people from Punjab were out to grab the land in J&K, he added.
Addressing the gathering former Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig said holding interactive dialogue was cultural necessity and there was a need to organize such sessions in future also. He said a human approach is needed for solving the problems of Kashmiri Pandits.
Maintaining that Kashmir was incomplete without Pandits and their return was must for restoration of age-old traditions and culture, he said KPs have been facing many hardships during 23 years of turmoil.
He said while those who were at helm of affairs in the State during 1989-90 fled to England but the leaders who are in PDP at present resolved not to be afraid of militancy and initiate the dialogue process under the frame work of the Constitution with misguided youth for restoration of peace and normalcy in the State.
He said PDP is for end to hostilities between India and Pakistan and resolution of all conflicts so that everlasting peace prevails in Sub Continent. He said it was Mufti Mohammed Sayeed who kept Indian flag unfurled in Kashmir when Sheilh Abdullah formed plebiscite Front. Defending the demilitarization doctrine of his Party he said when army is sent to borders and they are totally sealed no militant can sneak inside.
Mr Baig said every one knows who is responsible for turmoil in J&K and had the elections not been rigged in 1987 the militancy would not have engulfed the State. The people lost faith in democratic setup in the State with Pakistan exploiting the same and launched a proxy war to take the revenge of 1971 Bangladesh War, he added.
PDP spokesman Dr Sameer Kaul who was the chief guest exhorted Kashmiri Pandits to strengthen the hands of Mufti Mohammed Sayeed for establishing ever-lasting peace in the State. There is no leader of his stature who can solve the problems facing the State, he added.
He said PDP under the leadership of Mufti Sayeed is committed to create a conducive atmosphere in the Valley for honourable and dignified return of Pandtis and accused the State Government of its total failure in solving the problems of Pandits.
PDP senior leader Dilawar Mir also spoke on the occasion. Among others who addressed included P N Goja, Ashok Sidha, S L Kaul, Ashok Tickoo and Pinto Ji. The function was organized by PDP Minority Cell led by Ramesh Kaul. PDP MLAs Abdul Rehman Veeri, Abdul Gafar Sofi, Abdul Haq Khan, Basharat Bukhari, senior leaders Ved Mahajan, Fillail Singh and others were also present on the occasion.
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