Dineshwar, Kavinder discuss political scenario in state

Tribune News Service
Jammu, November 28

Centre’s special representative for J&K Dineshwar Sharma during his visit to Jammu on Wednesday called on former Deputy Chief Minister Kavinder Gupta and discussed the present political scenario in the state.

Gupta, during the half-an-hour meeting, said J&K had suffered a lot in matters related to development during all these years of militancy and that peace was imperative to take the state into an era of progress and prosperity. “The present Union government has been serious towards bringing peace and normalcy in this border state. Moreover, there has been decline in terrorist-related activities as the Army and security forces are putting concrete and effective operations to identify and kill the trained militants,” he added.

The former Deputy CM informed the interlocutor that the firm stand of the Union government had achieved tremendous success in checking stone-throwing incidents and neutralising repeated bandh calls. He said the faith of people in democracy had further strengthened as a large number of voters across the state came out to vote despite threats and boycott calls, which was indeed a good development. “The coming days may witness a sea of change if the Union government continues to go ahead with its present policy of no compromise on the lives of citizens and no room for those involved in anti-national activities,” Gupta added.

The issues of 5,300 families of Pakistan-occupied J&K refugees settled outside the state and deprived of the benefits that are conferred on those living in the state were also discussed. The issue of West Pakistan refugees, safety of Hindu temples and shrines in Kashmir, speedy work of road connectivity, taking Centre’s welfare schemes to grass-roots level and construction of bunkers in border villages, etc were also taken up with the interlocutor.