Omar urges separatists to come for dialogue

JAMMU - Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Tuesday urged separatists to sit across the table to resolve contentious issues in order to bring peace and tranquility to the state.

“The institution of interlocutors created by the union government to initiate interaction with all shades of opinion should be utilised earnestly to find out a solution to the issues,” the chief minister said in a message on the eve of Republic Day.

He appealed to the separatists “to rise to the occasion and play their role in bringing about peace and tranquility in the state”.

Governor N.N. Vohra in a similar message asked people in all the three regions - Kashmir Valley, Ladakh and Jammu - “to join hands to build a strong, stable and prosperous state”.

The governor observed that the “people of Jammu and Kashmir have suffered the consequences of violence for a long time now,” and added: “We must recognise that issues involving contrary positions cannot be resolved through violent agitations and confrontations.”

“The time has come for us to commit that all contentious issues shall be resolved peacefully through conciliation and meaningful dialogues.”