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Govt committed to give J&K a healing touch: Sayeed

Seeking the co-operation of all political parties to provide a "healing touch" and check alienation, he said dialogue, not bullets, is the solution to any problem.

Addressing the district development board meeting in Srinagar on Monday evening, Sayeed said the government was committed to give "a healing touch" to victims of militancy and "check alienation of the people", which, he said, was responsible for sustaining militancy in the state.

Maintaining that his government would pursue the path of dialogue as enshrined in the common minimum programme of the coalition he heads, he urged political parties to rise above partisan interests and help restore peace. "To err is human," he said, "but still the accountability of the security forces would be ensured."

The chief minister said there is a need for the victims of militancy to be looked after with "compassion and care". But this compassion has to be extended also to the children and families of the militants killed in encounters with the security forces.

Sayeed said the situation in the state is an "enormous challenge" and no single individual or party can overcome it alone. Therefore, he said he has ensured consensus on major issues in the CMP.

Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma told the meeting that the CMP was to "ensure unity" in the state. The government, he promised, would ensure equitable development of all three regions --- Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir.

Sayeed also condemned the killing of seven Central Reserve Police Force jawans in a landmine blast on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway on Monday.

"Killings would lead nowhere and it is time bloodshed is stopped and an atmosphere created where peace and prosperity can prevail," he said, conveying his condolences to the bereaved families.

PTI

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