Omar calls for serious initiative
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday asked for a serious political initiative by the Centre towards addressing the Kashmir issue but reiterated his plea that the separatist should seize the Prime Minister’s latest offer of talks if they are sincere enough in seeking a peaceful resolution of the imbroglio.
He said that he had made it clear to the Prime Minister and also UPA chairperson, Mrs Sonia Gandhi during their visit to Anantnag some time ago that Kashmir is a political problem which can’t be solved by economic, employment or development packages alone. He claimed that he has candidly conveyed to the Central leadership that resolution of Kashmir problem requires serious political initiatives. In his speech at Srinagar’s Bakshri Stadium, the chief minister said the separatists must take advantage of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s statement that he was ready to consider autonomy if there was a consensus.
He asserted that the “trust deficit” between the Centre and people of the state could be bridged by restoring autonomy.
“This is a historic opportunity for us. We must take advantage of it. I appeal to separatist leaders to come to the table for talks and play their role in solving the Kashmir issue,” he said.
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Raman vows to defeat Naxalism
age correspondent
Raipur
The Chhattisgarh chief minister, Mr Raman Singh, on Sunday equated Naxalism with terrorism and dubbed the Maoists anti-nationals, as he vowed to defeat Left-wing extremism in the state on the occasion of 63rd I-Day.
Taking salute of the state-level I-Day parade here, Mr Singh said, “Several states in the country are currently reeling under a major tragedy of terrorism in the form of Naxalism. We will soon defeat the anti-national forces like Naxalites — who oppose Indian Constitution and believe in bloodshed — with the support of the people”.
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