March 29, 2024 11:38 (IST)
Follow us:
facebook-white sharing button
twitter-white sharing button
instagram-white sharing button
youtube-white sharing button
PM Modi has mastered art of manipulating democracy, hurting Constitution: Mallikarjun Kharge | Mafia-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari dies of cardiac arrest at 63 | NIA arrests key conspirator in Bengaluru cafe blast case | Actor Govinda returns to politics after 14 years of 'vanvas', joins Eknath Shinde camp | 'To browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture': PM posts after 600 lawyers write to CJI
Mehbooba advocates opening of historic routes, making JK a model in SAARC cooperation

Mehbooba advocates opening of historic routes, making JK a model in SAARC cooperation

India Blooms News Service | @indiablooms | 16 Dec 2017, 05:31 pm

Panaji, Dec 16 (IBNS) Strongly advocating opening of historic routes in Jammu & Kashmir, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has pleaded  for opening up the State to the outside world and its opportunities.

Addressing the India Ideas Conclave-2017 GOA last night, the Chief Minister said the geographical positioning of the State makes it gateway to  Central Asia and that position ought to be used for opening up its people to the outside world. “By re opening the traditional and historic routes in the State, we shall be writing a new history,” she added.

Mehbooba Mufti suggested making Jammu & Kashmir a model State with connectivity all across so that it becomes a model for SAARC cooperation in the region. “Let’s make it a model for cooperation at bigger scale in the region,” she said.

On the problems being faced by the people of the State, the Chief Minister said it is the duty of every citizen of the country to come forward and help Jammu & Kashmir in coming out of these uncertainties.

“People of the State ought to be given a sense of belonging because the idea of India is incomplete without idea of Jammu & Kashmir. Reconciliation is the way ahead,” she added.


The Chief Minister exuded confidence in the deep roots of values and ethos which the people of the State have displayed at critical times. “See how many young boys rushed to donate blood when Amarnath yatries were attacked or who can forget that boatman who drowned himself to save a tourist. Kashmiriyat is deep rooted to be affected by any outside influence,” she added.

On the measures taken by her Government, the Chief Minister said the amnesty for youth recently announced by her is aimed at giving them a chance to a peaceful life hereafter. She hoped with the appointment of an Interlocutor the way forward for reconciliation has been laid out.

On forming Government in the State, Mehbooba Mufti said though both PDP and BJP have ideological differences on many issues, the idea of alliance was aimed to get Jammu & Kashmir out of the present situation of uncertainty, end the inter regional discord in the State and, above all, connect the people of the State with their counterparts in rest of the country.

“The idea to go with BJP was to get Jammu & Kashmir out of this siege”, she added.

"There is a need," the Chief Minister asserted, "to go back to the era of Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee through whose initiatives cross LoC routes were opened, ceasefire on LoC was ensured for a decade or so and peace prevailed as a consequence in the State and between the two countries."

On the return of migrant Pandit families, the Chief Minister said not only the Government but the entire society in Kashmir wants them back, honourably.

She said in this regard the Government has been taking many steps for their return back home. “We are also trying to rehabilitate those Pandit families, in terms of employment and other incentives, who stayed back home and did not migrate”, she said.

Mehbooba Mufti appealed media to play its crucial role in bringing people and communities closer to each other. She regretted the conduct of some media houses which by their irresponsible coverage of incidents end up creating more discord and acrimony among people and communities.

(Reporting by Saleem Qadri)

Support Our Journalism

We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism

IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.

Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Related Images
PM Modi in Bhutan 22 Mar 2024, 06:53 pm
PM Modi in Tamil Nadu 28 Feb 2024, 07:07 pm