SRINAGAR – The Occupied Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday battedstrongly for the resumption of a ‘peace and reconciliation process’ betweenIndia and Pakistan as the issue of repeated ceasefire violations rocked thestate Assembly.
Opposition National Conference (NC) supported the Mehbooba Muftigovernment’s stance while calling for a strict implementation of the 2003ceasefire agreed between the two countries.
Ravinder Raina, a legislator of the BJP, which shares power with the PDP inthe state, had earlier pressed for a resolution to condemn the continuousPakistani shelling.
The issue of unabated ceasefire violations also led to a 10-minuteadjournment during the Zero Hour.
When the House met again, the state’s Parliamentary Affairs Minister AbdulRehman Veeri made a statement supporting a dialogue between New Delhi andIslamabad to restore everlasting peace in the region.
“This issue was raised in this house before as well. Our stand is thatpeace and reconciliation is the only way, dialogue is the only way,” Mr.Veeri said.
He said the process initiated by former prime minister Atal Bihari Vaypayeeshould be taken forward for everlasting peace.
Four Army personnel, including a captain, were killed and four others,including two teenagers, injured in Pakistani retaliatory shelling alongthe LoC in Rajouri and Poonch districts on Sunday.
Ruling PDP MLA Javaid Beig said that instead of provoking Pakistan, theHouse should appeal to both the countries to start a dialogue to resolveoutstanding issues. Beig’s comments were protested by BJP members.
“We support the statement of Veeri and the young Beig who is right in hisapproach. On our side, we should not do anything that will lead to furtherdeterioration of the situation,” NC legislature party leader and formerchief minister Omar Abdullah said.
He rued that it had become a habit for politicians to worsen the atmospherethrough their statements.
“In my opinion, if a resolution is passed in this house, it should be thatthe people of Jammu and Kashmir demand both the governments to initiate thedialogue process so that peace is restored along the borders,” he said.
Abdullah demanded strict implementation of the 2003 ceasefire agreed uponby India and Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) and InternationalBorder (IB).
The NC leader said that the Vajpayee government in consultation withPakistan gave a ceasefire agreement which needs to be restored. – PTI