PM’S STATEMENT IN LOK SABHA ON
HIS TWO DAY VISIT TO JAMMU
& KASHMIR
Following is the
text of the Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s statement
in the Lok Sabha on his two day visit to Jammu & Kashmir :
"I went to Jammu
& Kashmir on a two-day visit on April 18-19, 2003.
I had five programmes
in Srinagar. The first had to do with the Foundation Stone laying
ceremony for modernization of Srinagar Airport. This project would
double the capacity of the airport. We would like international
air services to start from Srinagar.
The second programme
related to the National Highway Development Project. Under this,
work on a four-lane highway from Srinagar to Kanuyakumari was
launched. The newly elected Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir,
Shri Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, had been insisting that work on this
project in the Kashmir Valley should start as early as possible.
In my public rally,
I congratulated the people of Kashmir on participating in the
Assembly elections in large numbers. They exercised their franchise
defying the threat of bullets. I assured them, "We have come here
to share your pain and suffering. Whatever complaints you have,
try to address them collectively. Knock on the doors of Delhi.
Delhi will never close its doors for you. The doors of our heart
will also remain open for you".
I assured the people
of Jammu & Kashmir that we wish to resolve all issues – both
domestic and external – through talks. I stressed that the gun
can solve no problem; brotherhood can. Issues can be resolved
if we move forward guided by the three principlies of Insaniyat
(Humanism), Jamhooriyat (Democracy) and Kashmiriyat (Kashmir’s
age-old legacy of Hindu-Muslim amity).
In my speech, I spoke
of extending our hand of friendship to Pakistan. At the same time,
I also said that this hand of friendship should be extended by
both sides. Both countries should resolve that we need to live
together in peace.
My last programme
was about the start of work on the construction of Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla
railway line. It is our resolve to ensure that train services
start in Kashmir Valley before August 15, 2007.
Unemployment is the
greatest problem facing the youth of Jammu & Kashmir. We have
decided to facilitate creation of one lakh opportunities for employment
and self-employment over the next two years. For this, a special
Task Force would be set up with representatives from the Central
Government, State Government industry, commerce, banking and financial
institutions. The Task Force will present its report by June 30
and implementation would commence from August 15 this year.
At a press conference
before returning to Delhi, I expressed the hope that a new beginning
can take place between India and Pakistan. I said that we have
extended our hand of friendship. Let us see how Pakistan responds
to this. Stopping cross-border infiltration and destruction of
terrorist infrastructure can open the doors for talks. Talks can
take place on all issues, including that of Jammu & Kashmir.
Thank you".
