Asks distt admn to identify land for plotsKT NEWS SERVICEJAMMU, Oct 31: Union Minister for Health Ghulam Nabi Azad Thursday appeared to be on the same page with the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah as he said it was foolish to expect from Nawaz Sharif government to help restore peace along the borders because seemingly it had no control over its army.Yet in the same breath, he asserted that dialogue was the only way out to de-escalate tension along borders and resolve all bilateral issues. Azad was talking to media on the sidelines of his visit to border areas of Samba district to assess the situation arisen due to recent firing from Pakistan.He was accompanied by JKPCC president Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz, Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture Raman Bhalla, Minister of State for Health Shabir Ahmed Khan, Member Parliament Madan Lal Sharma besides other senior Congress leaders. Azad said, Unlike Pakistan, here in India were living in a democratic set-up where army is under the control of civilian government. We know that dialogue is only way-out to move forward. We want to talk to Pakistan to resolve all issues, de-escalate tension and restore peace along borders. But our problem is- well talk to whom. We cannot hold dialogue with the army there.He stated given the scenario and as the developments were unfolding along the borders, it was foolish to expect from Nawaz Sharif government to help restore peace along the borders as seemingly it had no control over its army.Last week, the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during his visit to border areas had also accused Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of providing tacit support to his army to initiate skirmishes and violate ceasefire targeting Indian security personnel and the civilian population along International Border and the Line of Control.Either it (skirmishes, ceasefire violations) was all happening with the consent of the Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif or his army is not under his control, Omar had said. Azad, responding to further queries regarding unusual spurt in ceasefire violations on the IB, said that India held dialogue with Pakistan at Foreign Affairs Ministers level and even at the Prime Ministers level in the recent past yet the outcome was disappointing with no result, no forward positive movement.Azad joined by Soz and other leaders visited Suchetpur-Kullian, Chambliyal, Nanga villages in Samba district. They also visited the house of Mangal Dass, who lost his life in Pakistan firing, in Suchetpur village and expressed sympathy with the bereaved family. Azad, while interacting with the border residents and addressing gathering in these villages, observed this was for the first time that incidents of ceasefire violations on IB had showed an unusual spurt wherein the civilian population too was pounded with mortars and shells.Every time during bilateral talks, this issue is raised with Pakistan and it is expected that it would help restore peace along borders by reining-in its army and other security agencies guarding its borders but in vain. This is really unfortunate that Pakistan does not keep its word, Azad said.Azad said, Whenever there is tension on the border, the residents of border villages have to pay a price. There has been no escalation of tension on the border from our side. Pakistani troops have been resorting to unprovoked firing which has caused a lot of hardship to the people living in areas close to the border.We have come to express solidarity with you and assure all possible help. Whether it is hospitals, schools or recruitment of youths from these areas in army and paramilitary forces, we shall do everything possible to help. But, the most important thing in such a situation is safety of the lives of the people, he said.Responding to border residents demands for 5 Marlas plot, in a safer location to escape Pakistan firing, for every family living on the IB, RBA status for the people along IB and compensation for their lands which fall ahead of fence, Azad assured them of every possible help from the government.Were trying our best to resolve these issues. Weve already taken up these issues with the government and well lend all possible help, he said. He asked the Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand to take up the issues pertaining to state with the state government. The issues, which pertain to the Centre, Ill take up with the Defence Minister and Home Minister, he said. Later he asked the district dispensation to explore possibilities for identification of suitable state land, about 5 km away from IB borders, to accommodate the people of border areas of Samba district ensuring them a safe world to live in.During his visit to Mawa, Suchetgarh Kullian, Chambliyal and Nanga, the Union Minister interacted with the people of these border areas to personally take stock of their problems and demands.Expressing concern over worst impact of Pak firing on education of the students, the Union Minister assured that all possibilities would be explored to keep some relaxation in qualification of such affected border students during recruitment drives. He added that he would take up this matter with the concerned authorities as early as possible.The farmers projected various issues including grave hardships in day to day agriculture activities due to cross border firing and shelling from Pakistan, special recruitment drive for youth of border areas, RBA status, settlement of issues of refugees etc.Union Minister assured the people that all the issues raised by them would be looked into for an early redress.Strongly condemning the ceasefire violations by Pakistan, the Union Minister said that such coward acts targeting innocent civilians would further ignite the tensions instead of solving the issues. He advocated a constructive dialogue between the countries for an amicable relationship which was in interest of both the nations and their people.At Chambliyal, the Union Minister paid obeisance at the Baba Chambliyal Shrine and prayed for peace and prosperity in the state.Earlier, Union Minister and president J&K PCC Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz along with other dignitaries paid floral tributes to late Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi on her 29th death anniversary in a function organized by the Pradesh Congress Committee at its headquarter at Shaheedi Chowk.Prominent among those who also paid homage to the great leader included Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, Madan Lal Sharma MP, Dharam Pal Sharma and Mangat Ram Sharma (senior vice presidents PCC), Sham Lal Sharma and Raman Bhalla (ministers), Thakur Hari Singh and Gurmukh Singh (vice presidents), Lal Mohammed Sabir, ex-ministers Mula Ram, Gulchain Singh Charak, R.S. Chib, Suman Bhagat, Yogesh Sawhney, Arvinder Singh Micky, Shabir Ahmed Khan- MoS for Health, Vinod Sharma and Kanta Bhan (general secretaries) Janak Raj Gupta ex-MP, G.M. Saroori MLA, Indu Pawar-MLA, Jugal Kishore Sharma MLC, Naresh Gupta MLC, Ch. Bashir Ahmed Naaz-Vice Chairman Gujjar Bakerwal Board, Swarn Lata-Chairperson SC Board and Kuldeep Raj Verma-Vice Chairman OBC Board.News Updated at : Friday, November 01, 2013
Posted on: Fri, 01 Nov 2013 11:50:18 +0000
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