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Mufti asks people to counsel militants

By Our Staff Reporter

The bodies of Mohammad Shafi Wani and his two sons who were shot dead by gunmen at Gopalpora in Badgam district on Thursday. — Photo: Nissar Ahmad

Rajouri Dec. 26. The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, today said that the role of local population was of paramount importance in ending the violence in the border areas.

Addressing a large gathering at Surankote, Mr. Sayeed said, "Innocent people are being killed. The time has come for the people to use whatever influence they have on the militants and urge them to leave the path of the gun. History is witness to the fact that no problem has ever been solved by the gun; dialogue is the key to all problems."

The Mufti said his Government had taken initiatives to make the Centre agree to an unconditional dialogue to solve the militancy problem.

"Our endeavour will be to restore peace with dignity, and it is the duty of the people to help in creating a conducive atmosphere for dialogue."

He also paid his condolences to the families of three girls killed by militants in Rajouri. The DIG, S.S. Bijral, and senior police officials were present.

Mr. Sayeed also visited Munshi Khan and his five-year-old son, Waqar Ahmed, at the Surankote hospital. In an attack on December 21, militants had killed three sons of Munshi Khan and injured him and his youngest son.

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• Mufti asks people to counsel militants
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