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'No differences with Centre
over J&K situation'

Replying to an 11-hour discussion on the motion of thanks to the governor's address in the legislative assembly in Jammu, he said Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani realise the ground realities in the state while 'we appreciate the security and national concerns'.

Referring to the incidents of militant violence and the suicide attack on the Raghunath temple in Jammu, Sayeed said some people are hell-bent on derailing the peace process.

The pattern of events suggest that they want to ignite communal passions but 'we are committed to deal firmly with foreign mercenaries even as transparency will be ensured in combating militancy so that civilians are not harmed'.

Sayeed said he has instructed the security agencies to demonstrate grit, but warned against excesses. The situation calls for innovative methods of interrogation, which leave little scope for complaints about innocents being harmed, he said.

"We have sufficient laws to deal with militants," he said while reiterating his government's resolve not to implement the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) and reorient the Special Operations Group of the J&K police.

He said the SOG has earned a bad name because surrendered militants were resorting to extortion and other excesses, as they were not given a fair deal in terms of remuneration.

Sayeed acknowledged the steps taken by the previous government, the security forces and the army for tackling militancy in the state, but insisted the PDP-Congress coalition government wants to steer the state from the morass (it is in) and win over the hearts of the people.

"We have been mandated by the people to work for peace and end their miseries," he said. These are formidable challenges and "we don't have a magic wand, but determination and will."

"In fact, it is a great opportunity even for the NDA government at the Centre to take the bull by its horns," he added.

The chief minister said he would persuade the Centre to hold a dialogue with elected representatives and others for resolution of the Kashmir problem.

He said a house committee, comprising representatives of all parties in the assembly, would be formed to hold the dialogue with the Centre.

He asserted that the coalition government would create congenial conditions for restoration of peace.

"When the root cause is addressed and fear psychosis removed, the situation is bound to take a turn for the better," he said.

In his 75-minute maiden speech in the assembly, he indicated that the autonomy demand was not a lost cause pointing out that the Centre summarily rejected the state's autonomy report without even setting up a committee to examine it.

The chief minister also dwelt on the issues of unemployment, the state's recruitment policy, panchayat elections and mini-hydel power projects in the state.

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