Author: Excelsior Special Correspondent
Publication: Daily Excelsior
Date: September 16, 2003
Omar Abdullah president J&K
National Conference said the killing of Javed Shah and Kukka Parray is
a great set back to the process of return of peace in Kashmir. Addressing
a public gathering here, he said the killing of the duo is a great blot
on the security apparatus of the State and is likely to discourage those
militants who are willing to shun the gun and join the national mainstream.
He said its high time the Union
Government takes note of the deteriorating situation in J&K. Omar said
it's the duty of the State Government to protect those who are fighting
the gun culture in J&K and those who are ready to leave the gun.
Omar said its sad that on the one
hand the Centre and the State in a bid to initiate Confidence Building
Measures are appealing to the militants to drop the guns and initiate dialogue
and on the other they are not able to protect those who chose to leave
the gun and participate in the electoral process in the State.
Omar urged the State Government
to announce a special socio economic developmental package for the backward
hilly areas of the State so that they do not feel neglected and deprived.
NC president said the State has
to solve the problems of roads, water, electricity of these areas which
have been neglected for long.
The NC president said the strength
of the National Conference is its cadre which is strong even in remote
areas of the State and it will be his endeavor to further strengthen it.
He said he was confident that the National Conference with the help of
its cadre and with will of the people of the State re-emerge strongly on
the political horizon of the State.
He said with the Mufti Government
having become almost defunct, the people of the State have started looking
upto the National Conference and if and when the situation arises the National
Conference will never let down the people of the State.
