Talks only way to resolve issues, says CM

Visits Jammu’s border areas

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Tuesday said dialogue was the only way to resolve issues. He also said that skirmishes along the borders have always made the lives of people living there miserable and difficult.

Interacting with people in the border areas of RS Pura and Bishnah here, the Chief Minister said inhabitants of the Line of Control and borders in the State have to “bear the brunt of firing and shelling while their life and property is endangered.” He said Jammu and Kashmir is “greatly and commonly affected by such incidents.”
Omar said peace and tranquility on the borders is equally important for both India and Pakistan. “The authorities across the border should understand this and help in creating calm on the LOC and borders,” he said.
He said that people living in the frontiers want peace to carry on with their daily chores. “We do not subscribe to war but are in favour of resolving the issues through talks and in a peaceful manner,” he said.
The Chief Minister visited Forward Areas in Jammu where the inhabitants were recently affected by shelling on the border. He announced three-month free ration for those who had to leave their homes for shelter due to shelling and whose agricultural operations were consequently halted.
Omar said the issue of giving benefit of SRO-43 to the shelling-affected and compensation for acquisition of their land will be discussed in the State Cabinet. He said the loss of precious lives in the border firing cannot be compensated “yet I want the bereaved families should get the benefit of SRO-43. I would take all necessary measures in this regard.”
Omar said the Government has already taken up the issue of construction of bunkers in the border areas. He said a file in this regard is pending with the Central Government and the State Government would again take up the matter with the Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh during his upcoming visit to Jammu and Kashmir “so that this long pending demand of the State is agreed to.”
The Chief Minister slammed those “playing politics” on human sufferings. “The prime concern of all should be to provide necessary help to the affected without having any political or other considerations,” he said.
Omar was accompanied by Minister of State for Home, Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo and legislator, Devinder Singh Rana.

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