CI-Ops halt major healing touch,raised people’s faith: Mehbooba

Hails Jammu for inclusiveness, promises tourism boosters

SRINAGAR/JAMMU/LEH: Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for announcing a halt to anti-militancy operations in the state during the holy month of Ramazan- a move which she asserted had raised the people's faith in him, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday made a fervent appeal again to the PM for resolving Kashmir issue, as she reposed her faith into his leadership, saying only he can resolve the problems plaguing Kashmir and heal the wounds of Kashmiris.

“Modi Ji, only you can resolve the problems plaguing Kashmir. You are the one who can heal the wounds of Kashmiris,” the Chief Minister said, in her speech at SK International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar.

Thanking the PM for the Ramdhan ceasefire, Mehbooba said that people feel safe here for the last three days. Mehbooba said the step taken by the Centre has raised hopes and increased the faith of the people here in the statesmanship of the prime minister.

"It certainly is a big step which needed courage, and you have amply displayed that. Not only the political parties, every person in the state is grateful to you for putting the balms on their wounds,” she said.

“Mothers of youth in Kashmir have been sleeping with peace from the last three days. This step is a healing touch to people of Kashmir.

“You will walk one step towards people of Kashmir, they will walk 10 steps towards you,” she said.
Mehbooba said that it would not have been an easy decision for the Prime Minister to announce the ceasefire during the holy month of Ramazan. “Pakistan is not responding to ceasefire declare by the PM,” she said.

“It is first time that all main stream parties in JK are speaking in one voice and agreeing with Agenda of Alliance. AoA is the solution and way forward to all issues of Jammu and Kashmir. It encompasses issues of PoK refugees, issues of political nature in Kashmir, rehab of Kashmiri Panidts and issues of Ladakh,” she said.

The Chief Minister said that whatever people of JK want could be achieved only through India.
“JK is the biggest challenge for you. You (Modi) make all efforts to take out us from difficult times. We may be throwing stones and picking up the guns still we are like your children,” the Chief Minister said, while praising the Prime Minister.

“And people look at you for resolution of Kashmir. I know you have many challenges in the country but resolution of issues of Kashmir is a bigger challenge to you,” she said.
Mehbooba recalled how Modi and her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had agreed on a coalition government in the state.
“When you and the late Mufti sahib drew a roadmap for the state, it gradually became a consensus political document to redress the issues facing Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.

“My request is to you and I hope you will implement AoA. It is a way forward for us and all governments in Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.

However, PM Modi did not mention AoA in his speech, neither in Leh nor at SKICC.

Later in the day, hailing the people of Jammu for upholding the tenets of harmony, inclusive sense, amity and brotherhood, Mehbooba said her Government has envisioned Jammu as an independent tourist destination for which many projects are in pipeline.

Speaking at a function to lay the foundation of 1000 MWs Pakal Dul Hydro Electric Power project and 52 kilometre Jammu Semi Ring Road project here today, the Chief Minister said in present day world Jammu represents a truly pluralist social system which has evolved as an example for all societies. She appealed the people of Jammu to uphold these tenets of tolerance and values for which the State has been known since ages. She said when many people left Kashmir Valley, the people of Jammu not only opened their homes and hearths for them but also shared their resources, supplies and other facilities.

Mehbooba Mufti said her Government is keen to develop Jammu as an independent tourist destination for which many projects are in pipeline. She said Government is making efforts to retain the tourist footfall in Jammu which seems to have slipped ever since the direct rail connectivity to Katra. Many of such projects, she said, are being inaugurated this year alone and work on many more is apace.

Earlier in Leh, Mufti thanked the prime minister for participating in the closing ceremony of Kushak Bakula.

The chief minister said the Zojila tunnel would be instrumental in increasing tourism traffic to Ladakh region.

Mufti also requested sanctioning of an international-level indoor stadium in Leh and Kargil as the youth here were good in sports such as ice skating and ice hockey.

About the Zojila tunnel, she recalled that Gadkari had given a time of seven years for completion of the tunnel but the prime minister asked him to ensure that it be completed in next five years.

"I'm confident that it will be completed during your tenure as prime minister," she said.