Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Dec 29: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President, Professor Saif-ud-Din Soz today asked the Hurriyat Conference to restart the dialogue process with the Government of India for a long lasting and peaceful solution to the Jammu and Kashmir issue.
Talking to media persons on the sidelines of a function here at the JKPCC headquarters, Prof Soz said that Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh has already shown his willingness to talk to people who abjure violence and are ready to find a peaceful solution to the Kashmir issue. He said that dialogue alone can solve vexed issues and problems like the Kashmir issue.
“Now that the Hurriyat leaders have returned from Pakistan they should enter into a dialogue at the highest level. Since they have talked to Prime Minister in the past it would be very good if they restart this stalled process. This would come as a relief to the people and hopefully some breakthrough is made vis-à-vis Kashmir issue,” said Prof Soz.
Referring to the empowerment of Panchayats in the State, Prof Soz said that the issue has already been discussed by Congress with its coalition partner National Conference. He said both the coalition partners have agreed for amending the existing Panchayati Raj Act of the State.
“The Congress has already projected its demand regarding the empowerment of Panchayats in the State. The Coordination Committee of Congress-National Conference would meet soon and discuss the proposed amendments in the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act. National Conference has also agreed to our demand and decks have been cleared for the amendments,” said Prof Soz.
He said that he is in constant touch with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, adding that CM is also in favour of making the amendments to the Panchayati Raj Act of the State. He said that Block Development Council (BDC) elections are in the pipeline and would be held soon.
Prof Soz pitched for severe punishment to the rapists and said that it is for the policy makers to decide about the nature of punishment. He said the people of India have become civilized and they would not allow occurrence of rape incidents in future.
Prof Soz pitched for the reopening of Sialkote-Suchetgarh, Kargil-Skardu and other routes linking the State with Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). He said there is huge potential for cross border tourism, adding that people from the State should also be allowed to visit the religious places and shrines located in PoK.
“I met the Prime Minister yesterday and raised the issue of cross border travel with him. I also wrote a letter to External Affairs Minister, Salman Khurshid and also raised this issue with him. Many important places of worship including gurdwaras are located in PoK and people should be allowed to visit them,” said Prof Soz.
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