Hoping for calm in Kashmir in near future: Azad

KOLKATA - Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad Saturday said the suggestions given by various parties were being implemented in Kashmir and hoped the disturbances in the troubled state would soon blow over.

“Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had called an all-party meeting to discuss the Kashmir issue. And subsequently, the prime minister (Manmohan Singh) met an all-party delegation from Kashmir in Delhi. Everybody gave suggestions and those suggestions are being implemented,” Azad, a former state chief minister, told reporters here.

A total of 62 civilians have been killed in the valley in repeated clashes between security forces and civilians.

“It’s very unfortunate that we have already lost 62 lives in our state. I hope in the near future there will be light at the end of the tunnel,” said Azad.