Kashmir Valley safer; Manmohan, Sonia do without bullet-proof screen: Omar

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By the inauguration of 18.359 Kms rail-link between Anatnag and Qazigund by the Prime Minister and UPA Chairperson, the 119 kms railway from Qazigund to Baramulla became operative. This railway project has been achieved with an expenditure of about Rs. 3250 crore. It possesses 62 major and 739 minor bridges besides 10 road over bridges. The longest bridge is of 435 meters at Veyth near Qazigund with 25 meters high pier. There has been 179.08 lakh cubic meter earth work in the construction of 119 kilometers long railway between Qazigund to Baramulla. It has 15 stations and connects Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama, Srinagar, Budgam and Baramulla districts.

*Centre appreciated for unprecedented support to JK

*Manmohan, Sonia accorded warm welcome

*Kashmir has a special place in secular India: Sonia

*Dr Singh reaches out to J&K youth

*Political engagement imperative to address JK issues: Omar

Chief Minister (CM) Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that he felt the situation in his state Jammu and Kashmir was improving as both Prime Minister (PM) Dr. Manmohan Singh and Congress President; Sonia Gandhi did not use a bullet-proof screen while addressing the people.

'Today I felt for the first time that things have changed here since the prime

minister and the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) chairperson would not be addressing people from behind a bullet-proof screen,' he said. Abdullah stressed on finding a permanent solution to the Kashmir problem. 'The basic problem of Jammu and Kashmir is not merely an economic one, but is linked to our politics,' he said.

'If we want to rid the state of the menace of the gun, we must find a permanent solution to political problem here,' Abdullah said here while welcoming Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi,

who are on a two-day visit to the Valley.

The prime minister Wednesday flagged off a new train service on the 18-km track linking south Kashmir with Srinagar and other places in the north of the valley. With this, the 129-km railway line in the Kashmir Valley is complete.

Abdullah thanked the prime minister and Home Minister P. Chidambaram for a

nnouncing a political dialogue between the state and the central government.

'My government will try everything possible to help the dialogue process so that tears from the eyes of the people are wiped out,' the chief minister said. Omar Abdullah reiterated the importance of Centre-State internal dialogue to resolve J&K centric political issues once for all. “There is urgent n

eed to engage Jammu and Kashmir politically”, he said adding that economic packages have their own significance in the development process but political issues require political dealing and dialogue is the only medium for it. Omar was addressing the welcome function organized in honour of the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi who arrived h

ere alongwith Union Ministers, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ms. Mamata Benerjee, Union Ministers of State for Railways and in PMOs office, to inaugurate the Anantnag-Qazigund 18 kms. Rail-link. Omar said that State Government would provide every help in making the situation conducive for resumption of State-Centre talks so that issues are politically addressed and resolved amicably relieving the State from the shadow of gun. “It is very important for us that an effective dialogue process takes place to deal with the political aspect of Jammu and Kashmir”, he said adding that the people of Jammu and Kashmir want to get rid of gun culture and live in a peaceful atmosphere.

The Chief Minister appreciated the intension indicated by the Union Home Minister, Mr. P. Chidambaram and Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh regarding restoration of internal dialogue. “We will render every help in this righteous task”, he said and wished all success for the same. Omar said that there has been remarkable improvement in the security situation as is evident by the fact that there is no

bullet proof glass-sheet between people and the Prime Minister at the dice

. “This improvement has to be carried forward till permanent peace and tranquility is restored in the State”, he said. Omar lauded the Prime Minister and UPA Chairperson for rendering highest financial support to the State during the past and currently. “We are highly thankful to both of you for the unprecedented help”, he said adding that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are especially thankful to the Prime Minister and UPA Chairperson for the two Central Universities, Union Government has approved for Jammu and Kashmir. “Whenever we were in any difficulty, we came to you and you extended the helping hand to pull the State out of the problems”, he said. Highlighting the importance of railway in the economic development of the State, the Chief Minister said that the railway is most important for a State like Jammu and Kashmir. “We are eagerly waiting for the day when the Valley gets linked with Jammu and

with the rest of the country through Rail-link” he said asking for connecting Kupwara, Poonch, Rajouri, Doda, Kishtwar and other areas of the State with railway. “There is great demand from the people from across the State to be connected with railway so that they also reap its benefits”, he adde

d. By the inauguration of 18.359 Kms rail-link between Anatnag and Qazigund by the Prime Minister and UPA Chairperson, the 119 kms railway from Qazigund to Baramulla became operative. This railway project has been achieved with an expenditure of

about Rs. 3250 crore. It possesses 62 major and 739 minor bridges besides 10 road over bridges. The lo

ngest bridge is of 435 meters at Veyth near Qazigund with 25 meters high pier. There has been 179.08 lakh cubic meter earth work in the constructi

on of 119 kilometers long railway between Qazigund to Baramulla. It has 15 stations and connects Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama, Srinagar, Budgam and Baramulla districts.

ON THE OCCASION: United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi said that Kashmir has a 'special place in secular democracy of India' and that all problems can be resolved through 'democratic process of dialogue'. 'There would always be problems, but there is no problem that cannot be resolved through the democratic process of dialogue,' Sonia Gandhi told a large public gathering which had turned out despite chilly weather and extraordinary security restrictions. 'Kashmir has a special place in the secular democracy of India,' she said.The UPA chairperson reminded the people that development of Kashmir could take place only if there was peace. The valley would soon be connected with the Jammu region and the rest of the country through a rail link, she added. 'Tourism here must not only regain its old glory, but should also excel it.' 'The rail link between the valley and the rest of the country would also result in increased brotherhood between the people living here and outside,' she said. She went down the memory lane here Wednesday as she recalled the special love and affection India's former prime minister Indira Gandhi had for Kashmir. 'She had come to K

ashmir on Oct 28 in 1984 for the last time and we are here today (Wednesday) on the same day.' 'She loved Kashmir so much that she came here to see the changing colours of the Chinar leaves before parting from us forever,' Sonia Gandhi said. Indira Gandhi was shot dead by her Sikh bodyguards in New Delhi Oct 31, 1984.

PM: Dr Singh reached out to all sections of the society in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday and urged them to engage in a meaningful dialogue to ensure permanent peace in the state. "I once again reiterate that we are ready to talk to every person who shuns violence and is interested in peace and development here," he said at the inauguration of the Anantnag-Qazigund rail link. He also referred to the past meetings the Centre has held with different groups from the state. "We have had many round-table conferences with them in the past and all issues were discussed. We tried to give voice to the demands of all sections of the people. We have implemented a number of initiatives as a result of this process. We are ready to talk to every section of the society here to take them along for development and prosperity of the state," said the PM. During his speech, Dr Singh reached out to the youth, saying, "The youth must seriously think about their future. The Centre will do everything possible to engage the local youth in the development of the state". He added that the youth were capable of m

aking progress in the field of information technology like the other states in the country. "Two central universities are coming up here, one in Jammu and the other in the valley. Kashmir's beauty is unparalleled and it is capable of becoming the most sought after tourist destination in the world," he said. The PM also congratulated the people of the state for turning up in good numbers during last year's assembly polls and parliamentary elections this year. "I am happy that the people of Jammu and Kashmir turned up to vote in these elections (assembly and parliamentary polls) in large numbers," Dr Singh said and added, "I believe that it was a vote for a peaceful path to a better tomorrow. I applaud the wisdom and good faith of the common man of Kashmir." "The elected government has a golden opportunity to consolidate peace in the state," Dr Singh said. In the last five years, th

e Centre has taken a number of steps to bring development to Jammu and Kashmir, he said. "We took the bold step of reviving the movement of goods and people across the Line of Control on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road and on Poonch-Rawalakot road. I am hapy to announce that the Centre has decided to fund the additional cost of Rs 385 crore to build the heritage Mughal Road that will connect Shopian in south Kashmir with the remote areas of Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu region," he said. The PM also advised the state government to hold elections to local bodies in the state as early as possible, so as to increase people's participation in the development process. "I would urge that electi

ons to local bodies be held quickly. This will increase people's participation in the process of development," Dr Singh said. Panchayat elections in the state have not been held since the term of the civic body expired in 2006. Asking the state government to speed up the process of development, Dr Singh said, "Unprecedented resources have been committed to the state for its comprehensive reconstruction. But I recognise that the benefits are trickling down slowly. This state of affairs should change. We have to speed up the pace of development." Dr Singh also talked about the reversal of brain drain, and said, "We have to create conditions for them (intellectuals) to return and be the instruments of change and development." The PM said that his government wants to strengthen the state government, so that they can implement an ambitious development agenda. United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi, who is also accompanying Dr Singh, said that there are no issues that cannot be resolved through talks under the principles of democracy. Dr Singh and Gandhi arrived in Srinagar on Wednesday morning, where they were received by Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, senior state government, army and police officers. Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and New and Renewable Energy Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah are accompanying the PM.

EARLIER: Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi arrived in Srinagar, today. They were given warm welcome at the airport by Governor, Mr. N. N. Vohra , Chief Minister, Mr. Omar Abdullah , his cabinet colleagues and senior officers. The Prime Minister and UPA Chairperson were accompanied by Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, UnionHealth Minister, Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Railways Minister ,Ms. Mamata Banerjee and U nion Minister of State in PM’s Office, Mr Prithivi Raj Chauhan. On this occasion, floral bouquets were presented to the visiting dignitaries by Governor, Mr. N. N. Vohra , Chief Minister, Mr. Omar Abdullah, Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Tara Chand, former Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Deputy Chairman, Legislative Council, S. Arvinder Singh Micky, Ministers, Mr. Abdul Rahim Rather, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mr. R S Chib, Mr S S Salathia, Mr. Sham Lal Sharma, Mr. G M Saroori, Mr. Raman Bhalla, Mr. Ghulam Hassan Mir, Mr. Taj Mohiuddin, Mr. Rigzin Jora, Mr. Qamar Ali Akhoon, Aga Syed Ruhulla, Mr. Abdul Gani Malik, Mr. Shabir Ahmad Khan, Dr. Manohar Lal, Advisors to the Chief Minister, Mr. Mubarak Gul and Mr. Devinder Singh Rana, MLA, Mr. Abdul Majid Wani, Chief Secretary, Mr. S. S. Kapur, DGP, Mr. Kuldeep Khoda, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Khurshid Ahmad Ganie and Advocate General, Mr. M. I. Qadri.