Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday urged militants to shun violence and come for dialogue to resolve issues amicably, noting that the gun culture in the last 20 years had caused enough bloodshed and destruction.
Mr. Abdullah expressed the hope that better sense would prevail and militants would drop guns forever. “This will be in their larger interest and in the interest of people,” he said in his Republic Day address.
“Nothing has so for been achieved or will be achieved by bloodshed. Dialogue is the only means to address the problems and solve issues in a conducive atmosphere. We will act as a facilitator in the dialogue process among all groups of opinion in the State and the Centre, besides working for the restoration of India-Pakistan composite talks,” he said.
The task of seeking a bright future for the youth was taken by him as a challenge. “I have recognised technology and young people as the two important aspects on which development and prosperity of a nation is dependent. It is for these facts that I have flagged both as important concerns having co-relation,” he said.
The announcement of a comprehensive employment policy for the youth was a path-breaking step in the 60-year history of the State, he pointed out.
