‘JK Govt welcomes HM’s statement on talks with Hurriyat’

Violence invites destruction, Hurriyat should respond positively: Nayeem Ahktar

Violence invites destruction, Hurriyat should respond positively: Nayeem Ahktar

Srinagar, May 26 (KNS): Soon after the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh stated that government of India was ready to hold talks with Hurriyat, the Jammu and Kashmir Government here said that they are hoping positive response from separatist leaders in building environment for purposeful peace process.
“It is a good initiative from central government. We expect them (Hurriyat) to respond positively and present their viewpoint for a durable and purposeful peace process in the Jammu and Kashmir,” Minister for Public Works and official spokesperson of the PDP- BJP government, Naeem Akhtar told KNS over phone.
He said that Pakistan has also a role in the peace initiative as has been underlined by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti yesterday in Jammu. “Pakistan has the role and everybody who seeks to solve the problems of Kashmir, has to come forward with an open mind and join the process,” Ahktar maintained.
Nayeem further said that government of India has taken a major step in halting the operations against the militants. “We believe that the Ramzan sprit should be carried forward and the gun must be silent to give dialogue, peace process a chance,” the minister said.
He said that we should not indulge into blame game anymore and should respond positively. “I don’t think that this is the time to accuse one or other party. This is the time for everybody to respond. Since centre has taken initiative, it is also for Pakistan to respond,” he maintained.
He said that if at all Pakistan claims to be the friend of Kashmir then they have a special responsibility in reducing the levels of violence and responding to the new positive measures taken by “our country”.
He added that similarly the civil society, the ordinary citizen of state, whether living in border areas of Kashmir, Jammu, Ladakh, have to take a direct interest in establishment of peace with dignity.
He added that the violence invites more violence, destruction and that everybody has to realize it. “We have to give up this violence and speak up. I believe that if Kashmiris speak in favour of peace and resolution, there is no one to stop us”.
He said that it will be interesting to see that how this new initiative builds up and how everybody contributes. “It cannot be only the CBMs from one side there has to be a positive response from all of us to sustain any CBMS,” Nayeem Ahktar said.
It is to mention here that the union home minister Saturday said that Government of India was ready to hold talks with Hurriyat. “If Hurriyat is ready to come to the table for talks, we are ready for it. However, as on date, there is no indication from them to this effect,” Rajnath Singh told National TV channel in an interview.
He also said that New Delhi is ready to hold talks with Pakistan if it comes forward to hold talks. “To not welcome anyone who wants to talk, is not the right thing,” he maintained.
Rajnath Singh also claimed that the Narendra Modi-led BJP government wants to revoke FIRs against several first-time stone pelters, especially young Kashmiris, as a method to reach out to people. “Kashmir is ours, Kashmiris are ours,” he said. “Children are misled. We refuse to look at first-time stone pelters as terrorists,” Singh added.
Asked about the ceasefire announced during Ramzan, the home minister said that since Ramzan is a holy month, the government has decided to temporarily suspend operations. “But this does not mean that security forces will not respond to attacks on them.” (KNS)
 

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