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"Violence Cannot Solve Kashmir Problem" says Kashmir Chief Minister

By Fayaz Wani

Chief Minister of Indian-administered Kashmir, Omar Abdullah said on Wednesday that violence has never been the answer to any problem in the past nor will it serve any purpose in the future. He also said that strikes will lead to bad things.

"When effective democratic means are available to register protests and make ones viewpoint across, there is no reason of perpetrating violence and putting the general public to hardships and difficulties", Omar said while addressing the civil society at Handwara in North Kashmir.

He said his government is committed to facilitating dialogue between all different opinions in Kashmir and the Government of India. "We are positively working in this direction. We also favour sustained dialogue between India and Pakistan", he said maintaining that this is the only way forward to address political issues politically in a democratic atmosphere.

Omar said that lock-outs and shutdowns only lead to public discomfort and badly tell upon the education of our children. "These tactics are in no way in anybody's interest. These only mar the livelihood and opportunities of the poor and hamper the process of economic growth. When the platform of talks is available to all opinions, what is the need of disturbing the peaceful life of the people?"

He claimed that he is representing the aspirations of people of Kashmir in and outside the region. "I always raise and advocate economic and political interests of the people of Kashmir at all fronts at all levels," the Chief Minister said.

He meets with the Government functionaries at all levels to recognize their responsibility towards the public and render their services with full degrees of sincerity and honesty. "Government employees should remember that they are paid for rendering their duties for public service delivery, and shutdown days will not be counted as paid holidays for them," he added.

Kashmir has been witnessing turmoil since June 11 when a 17-year old boy was killed in an alleged police firing. Since then 16 more people, mostly teenagers, have died in alleged police and paramilitary soldiers firing in the region, triggering massive anti-India protests, and prompting authorities to impose curfew and restrictions. The separatists have responded by calling for shutdowns and protests. In view of the strikes, government employees have been staying away from the work place.

Separatist Reiterate Protest Call

Meanwhile, at the Hurriyat Conference, led by detained Syed Ali Geelani, on Wednesday reiterated the call for protests and shutdowns and hailed the people for collecting and distributing relief among needy people.

"The ongoing struggle has entered into a decisive phase and the way people are approaching is worthy of praise," Acting chairman of the Hurriyat Conference (G), Gulam Nabi Sumji said in a statement issue here.

He urged people to stage sit-ins in every nook and corner on Friday. "People should stage peaceful protest demonstrations in respective district headquarters after Friday prayers while the people in Srinagar should stage protests at Maisuma near Haji Masjid," he added.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.