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Guns Can Never Resolve Problems: Kashmir CM

By Fayaz Wani

Srinagar, June 27: The pro-India chief minister of Kashmir, Omar Abdullah Saturday said that guns can never resolve the problems and welcomed the resumption of India-Pakistan talks.

Addressing a public meeting in Central Kashmir, Omar Abdullah welcomed the resumption of dialogue between nuclear armed rivals, India and Pakistan.

Indian and Pakistan state of heads met during in Russia last week while the other day foreign ministers of the two countries met in Italy.

He expressed the hope that the talks between India and Pakistan will be put on fast-track.

"The dialogue is the only platform to address issues and find out amicable solution to the problems," the Kashmir chief minister said adding, "Guns have never been and will never be the answer to the problems, he said".

Omar said his government would take initiative for resumption of internal talks between the Indian government and the separatist leadership so that all issues pertaining to Kashmir could be addressed. "Strengthening of both external and internal channels of talks to achieve permanent peace and tranquility in the Subcontinent is the need of the hour," he said and called for sustained dialogue in this regard.

The Kashmir chief minister said everyone wants to get rid of the gun culture and live in a conducive and peaceful atmosphere. "Pakistan is itself presently facing the atrocities of the gun. Time is ripe enough to cultivate peace for harvesting prosperity," he said and emphasized on strengthening dialogue process to settle all issues peacefully.

He said police will gradually take over prime responsibility of maintaining law-and-order in Kashmir, replacing paramilitary forces from this duty. "This has already been discussed with the Home Ministry and the Home Minister during his recent visit to Kashmir, has also given clear indication in this regard," the Chief Minister said.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.