Give peace a chance, PM urges Kashmiris

NEW DELHI - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday made a passionate appeal for peace in the Kashmir Valley, saying he understands “the pain, the anger and frustration that is bringing young people out on to the streets”.

“I urge the people of Jammu and Kashmir to give peace a chance. There is a lot of hard work that needs to be done to rebuild the state and its institutions. We must promote economic activity and create opportunities for employment. We must build physical and human resource infrastructure,” he said, addressing a meeting of political parties from the state.

The main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), led by Mehbooba Mufti, boycotted the meeting.

The meeting at the conference hall in the prime minister’s 7 Race Course residence was held in the backdrop unending unrest in the Kashmir Valley which has left over 50 people dead - mostly in firing by security forces - in the last two months. The deaths have triggered more street protests from angry Kashmiri youth in the valley.

“I can feel the pain and understand the anger and frustration that is bringing young people out on to the streets of Kashmir. Many of them have seen nothing but violence and conflict in their lives and have been scarred by suffering.

“Today I wish to share with you my sense of hope for the people of Jammu and Kashmir that I have long nurtured,” he said.

–Indo-Asian New Service