Mehbooba Govt Pitches For Resumption Of Indo-Pak Peace Process

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New Delhi: The Jammu and Kashmir government has strongly favoured for the resumption of a 'peace and reconciliation process' between India and Pakistan as the issue of repeated ceasefire violations by the neighbouring country rocked the state Assembly.

Opposition National Conference (NC) supported the Mehbooba Mufti government's stance while calling for a strict implementation of the 2003 ceasefire agreed between the two countries.

RavinderRaina, a legislator of the BJP, which shares power with the PDP in the state, had earlier pressed for a resolution to condemn the continuous Pakistani shelling.

The issue of unabated ceasefire violations also led to a 10-minute adjournment during the Zero Hour.

When the House met again, the state's Parliamentary Affairs Minister Abdul RehmanVeeri made a statement supporting a dialogue between New Delhi and Islamabad to restore everlasting peace in the region.

"This issue was raised in this house before as well. Our stand is that peace and reconciliation is the only way, dialogue is the only way, Veeri said.

He said the process initiated by former prime minister AtalBihariVaypayee should be taken forward for everlasting peace.

Four Army personnel, including a captain, were killed and four others, including two teenagers, injured in Pakistani shelling along the LoC in Rajouri and Poonch districts yesterday.

Ruling PDP MLA JavaidBeig said that instead of provoking Pakistan, the House should appeal to both the countries to start a dialogue to resolve outstanding issues. Beig's comments were protested by BJP members.

"We support the statement of Veeri and the young Beig who is right in his approach. On our side, we should not do anything that will lead to further deterioration of the situation," NC legislature party leader and former chief minister Omar Abdullah said.

He rued that it had become a habit for politicians to worsen the atmosphere through their statements.

"In my opinion, if a resolution is passed in this house, it should be that the people of Jammu and Kashmir demand both the governments to initiate the dialogue process so that peace is restored along the borders," he said.