People's Democracy

J&K

Huge Public Meeting Held In Kulgam

LARGE public meeting was held at Kulgam district headquarters on March 28, 2007. The rally was so huge that no space was left to accommodate the people in the largest ground at the district headquarters. More than 20,000 people participated in this public meeting that was jointly organised by CPI(M) and Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Youth Federation.

M Y Tarigami, state secretary CPI(M) and Ghulam Nabi Azad, chief minister J&K state were the main speakers. Mohd Amin Dar, general secretary JKDTF also addressed the gathering.

Addressing the gathering, janab Ghulam Nabi Azad said that all parties should come together, raise above the vested political interests and make their contribution for achieving peace in the state. He alleged that some politicians say something during the day and remain is touch with militants during the night. He said that militants will be dealt with heavy hand but at the same time nobody will be allowed to harass people. He said, “ by resorting to violence we have not achieved anything but destruction and our image got dented internationally.” He added that anyone found guilty of committing violence, custodial killings, fake encounters and unnecessarily harassing innocents will be punished. “I am a sword for militants and soft on innocents and we have to make every effort to protect the innocent people,” he stated. He appealed to the National Conference and Hurriyat to come forward and play their role in achieving peace in the state.

CPI(M) state secretary M Y Tarigami said that the government should have a multi pronged approach to tackle the situation in J&K. He observed that in J&K, terror and counter terror increased during last seventeen years, which put in shambles the socio-political and economic fabric of the state. He said the need of the hour now is to initiate courageous measures for which he outlined 4-point strategy envisaging that all political parties both government and outside the government must be involved in dialogue process to evolve consensus for resolving the Kashmir issue. He said that Indo-Pak dialogue should be continued and should be made result oriented. To create confidence among the people, developmental activities must be given top priority so that necessary economic and social infrastructure is built and immediate measures for creating employment opportunities for Kashmiri youth both inside the state and outside should be undertaken, said Tarigami. Identification of peace zones within the state must be given top priority and declaration of such peach zones in itself we believe would send strong message to the suffering people of the J&K, he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Mohd Amin Dar, general secretary JKDYF said that all the governments so far at centre and state have not given any priority to the employment generation which has resulted in massive increase in unemployment leading to frustration of already overstressed youth of the state diverting them into negative channels. He said youth should be considered as an asset for the nation and not a liability and for making the nation’s future bright, government should on priority invest in youth and generate employment opportunities.