Islamabad (Anantnag), Jan 6: Stating that strikes and protests will not resolve the Kashmir issue, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today asked the separatist leaders to come on table for solution to the problem.
Addressing a gathering at Amlad, Aishmuqam in this South Kashmir district, Omar said, "I have appealed separatist leaders including Geelani Sahib many a time to come on the table for the resolution of the Kashmir issue as strikes and protests can never be the solution to any problem."
He said that till June the situation in the valley was normal but after the agitation was launched everything came to a grinding halt.
"Due to five month long agitation which began in June we did not achieve anything except losing 112 lives. So Geelani Sahib and other separatists should realize it and come forward for dialogue to find out an amicable solution to the issue," Omar told the gathering.
Later when asked about BJP's flag hoisting plan in Srinagar on January 26, Omar said the party’s intention was only to disrupt peace in the valley again.
"On the Republic Day the flag is hoisted not only in the capital but in the district headquarters also. So BJP’s plan to hoist the flag on Ganta Ghar has no justification. Their plan is nothing but an attempt to disrupt the peace in the valley again," Omar said.
He said that when the situation turns volatile here, they hold us responsible for the same but when it limps back to normal they try to disrupt it again for their political interests.
"The government will talk to the security agencies and soon take a decision with regard to BJP's plan," Omar said. On the worsening power scenario in the valley, Omar blamed the people for the mess.
"Government is trying to improve the power scenario but it is the people who create mess by resorting to power theft. It is disgusting that the people after offering Nimaz in masjids indulge in the mischief of power theft," Omar said.
He added that until and unless civic sense prevails and people give up power theft, the power scenario will continue to worsen.
Lashing out at the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for taking to streets against the power crisis in the valley, Omar said, “ The work on many power projects was stopped during the regime of PDP but now when they are out of power they are pointing fingers towards us and trying to play politics.”
Terming the appointment of interlocutors and their visit to the state as a positive step in resolving the Kashmir issue, Omar said, “The interlocutors have been appointed by the Centre and the recommendations framed by them will directly reach Prime Minister and Home Minister and the state cannot interfere in it.”
Omar appealed the party workers to refrain from lobbyism and get united under the banner of National Conference to show good results in the upcoming Panchayat polls.
Reminding the people of his efforts in paving way for addressing political issues of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Thursday said that despite fighting 2008 Assembly elections on development subject he left no stone unturned to focus on settlement of State’s political matters.
Referring to the sanction letters of seed money handed over to the young boys and girls for starting their livelihood earning ventures under SKEWPY, Omar said that while certain political leaders make the youth to pick stones in their hands, ‘my Government is placing job orders in their hands and providing them with avenues for better career and bright future’. He said his Government has chalked out a comprehensive programme to provide jobs to youth both in Government and private sectors. “SKEWPY is an effective medium to address unemployment crisis meaningfully and appropriately”, he said adding that jobs for youth is his earnest mission.
Taking a dig on the agitational politics of PDP, the Chief Minister said that the party always chooses to be part of the problem instead of being part of the solution. “Those who mislead people on the issue of power supply have done nothing during their 3 years of Chief Ministership on this count”, he said and referred to the dozens of measures taken by his Government to generate indigenous power.
“We have started ambitious power projects as joint ventures and constituted Chinab Valley power projects company for execution of 1000 mega watt Pakaldull, 600 mega watt Kiru and 520 mega watt Kawar hydroelectric project”, he said adding that besides generating over 2120 mega watts of power from these projects equal power generation is expected from other projects under construction in the State.
The Chief Minister said that the Government was committed to fulfill its promises made to the people on development front. “We are working hard in this direction and administration has been sensitized at all levels to reach out the people in every area for addressing their development needs”, he said.
Earlier Chief Minister laid foundation of two bridges at Amard Ashmuqam and Seer Nambal being constructed at a cost of about Rs. 12 crores. The MLA Pahalgam, Rafi Ahmad Mir was present.
The bridge at Ashmuqam is being executed by JKPCC. It will be 184 meter span connecting Ashmuqam and Saller via Baghwani. It is likely to be completed in two years at a cost of Rs. 6.72 crore.
The bridge at Nambal is of 72 meters span likely to cost about Rs. 4.12 crore. It will connect Nambal Seer and Langbal with Khannabal Pahalgam road and provide an alternate route for tourists to visit the pictures Pahalgam and other areas. The bridge is being executed by the R&B, Kashmir.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 6 Jan 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 6 Jan 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 7 Jan 2011 00:00:00 IST