Chief Minister Omar Abdullah claimed on Sunday that solution to Kashmir problem and related political issues was on the anvil, urging the political leadership of all shades of opinion of the restive state and beyond to “join hands and contribute in this pursuit positively and sincerely.”
Mr Abdullah while speaking at a function here said, “I’ve repeatedly made it clear and will continue to advocate that the basic political issues of the state cannot be resolved by economic measures or progress on development front.” He added, “The successful tourism season that has seen over 600,000 visitors and an equal number of Amarnath pilgrims turning up in the Vale of Kashmir, so far, this year has not solved the political problems even as it has largely helped economic betterment of the people in general.”
The chief minister, however, did not elaborate on the “solution” to Jammu and Kashmir’s political problems that he said was on the anvil.
Without naming separatist leaders and parties, the chief minister questioned their wisdom in calling for strikes and protests more often than not. “They seem to be bent upon creating law and order situation and marring the bread earning opportunity of poor and I understand their such approach is illogical rather harmful,” he said, adding that by giving calls for lock outs, they directly hinder the traders to undertake their day to day business, undermined the education of students, compel transporters to remain idle, put commuters to lot of inconvenience and debar patients to receive treatment in hospital. “What service they are serving to the people by this kind of attitude,” he asked.
Highlighting the importance of tourism in the state’s economy, he said that the dividends of peace this year were in the shape of large tourist flow which in turn resulted in the substantial earning by the people directly and indirectly associated with tourism.