Let's re-build our state, Omar tells Kashmiris

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday said that he 'stood for political solution for political issues in a cordial and peaceful atmosphere'.

Addressing a function to observe the 105th birth anniversary of his grandfather and National Conference founder Sheikh Abdullah in Srinagar, the chief minister said that from day one his government had 'underlined the necessity of addressing political issues of the state in a political way.

Omar referred to the Union Home Minister P Chidambaram's statement regarding 'application of unique strategy to solve the unique political issues in Jammu and Kashmir' and said that his 'government is working on two pronged strategy of dealing economic issues administratively and addressing issues of political nature in a political manner'.

"We have always highlighted the importance of settling all issues pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir through a sustained internal and external dialogue process. Our endeavour in this direction will continue."

Omar said that the last five months had pushed the economy of the Valley to the wall, made traders, businessmen, transporters and others pauper and had snatched bread earning capacity of labours and daily wage earners.

"The disturbance reversed the pace of development, marred the education and made students stone pelters," he said, ridiculing 'the negative approach of dealing with issues of political nature'.

Omar said that his government was making every effort 'to maintain peace and calm and accelerate the pace of development that received set back during he last five months especially in the education sector'.

"I am advocating and working for removal of AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) from the areas where it is not required. We have also released more than 1200 youth arrested for stone pelting besides removing dozens of bunkers," he said, making it clear that 'every possible measure would be taken to make the situation palatable and peaceful for economic and political activities'.