Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed on April 18
justified his policy of healing touch in tackling militancy in the state and made it
clear that "there is no other way except through talks" to resolve the Kashmir
problem.
Appreciating Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee for having held free and fair
elections to the state Assembly, he said, "You have shown the way for the political
process by taking the initiative. This is yet another opportunity and I am confident
that there is no other way to resolve the Kashmir problem except through talks."
Speaking at a public meeting in Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium addressed by
Vajpayee, Sayeed said as part of the healing touch, the security forces have been
told that they should ensure that Human Rights were not violated.
He said a situation has arisen when the youth should be provided employment so that
they no longer wield guns. "We should punish those who supply the weapons but not
those who wielded guns."
PTI
