Other States - Jammu & Kashmir

Only some elements in Pakistan inimical: Omar

— PHOTO: NISSAR AHMAD

Omar Abdullah being welcomed on his first day as Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister at the Civil Secretariat in Jammu on Friday.

JAMMU: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday suggested that Pakistan as a whole was not India’s enemy but “some elements in that country certainly do not want good relations between the two countries.”

In his first interaction with the media after assuming charge, he said his government would seek to create a conducive atmosphere for a dialogue between the Centre and the separatists.

Mr. Abdullah said he was not aware of any State declaring Pakistan as a threat to India.

“There are forces in Pakistan who are not in favour of good relations between the two neighbours but if someone suggests that the whole of Pakistan was against India, it is not fair” he told a questioner.

He referred to Pakistan President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gillani’s statements in which they talked about friendly relations and said “we should take that at face value.” It is in our interest that these forces in Pakistan do not succeed, he said, adding,

“Pakistan is a neighbour and will remain so, and violence or war is no solution to any problem.” He cautioned, “we should not go with the impression that Pakistan is our enemy.”

On releasing political detenus, the Chief Minister said he would consult his officials and call the Unified Headquarters to do a review. “If there are no serious charges against people we can review their detention,” he said, adding that there was significant reduction in the violence.

He parried questions on the National Conference’s demand for autonomy and said the NC-Congress coalition was not a pre-poll but post-poll arrangement. So far “we had smooth meetings but we have agreed on the issue of not sacrificing each other’s ideologies for our own interests.”

The Congress does not want to surrender its ideology, likewise “we will also not do that.” “I am not carrying any baggage,” he said.

Mr. Abdullah termed the coalition as the “government of unity” as both the parties have stakes in all the regions. “We are not for exploiting the sentiments of the people on the basis of religion or region,” he said. There was a lot to be done on bridging the gap between Srinagar and Jammu, which have widened in the wake of the Amarnath agitation, he added.

He complimented the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the Election Commission of India, Governor N.N. Vohra and officials of the State for ensuring a smooth and fair electoral process. “This process has raised the expectations and our biggest challenge is to come up to those expectations.”

Earlier he was accorded a rousing reception by the Secretariat employees and officers who had lined up on both sides of the road leading to his chamber.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu