Govt. should start dialogue to ensure peace in Kashmir: Azad

NL Correspondent
April 24: Leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha and Former Chief Minister of Jammu
& Kashmir, Ghulam Nabi Azad in his visit to Doda pitched for inciting dialogue with different stakeholders and Pakistan to bring peace and normalcy in Kashmir.
Ghulam Nabi Azad was in his three days visit to Doda to inaugurate the newly constructed Community hall at Doda town today including his schedule to meet fire affected families of Gandoh, Bhallessa, Bhatyas and Bhaderwah from tomorrow.
Azad while condoning today's militant attack on PDP leader at Palwama said, “Situation in Kashmir is grave and until government adopts multi level strategy to incite dialogue with Pakistan, stakeholders of state and all political parties they cannot bring normalcy in Kashmir. They cannot control situation by using bullets, pallet-guns and sticks will never bring normalcy in Kashmir.”
On Internet ban in Kashmir, Azad said, “Government of India has no policy on Kashmir and Pakistan and I don't think banning of internet brings any solution to ongoing violence, we cannot go back to Stone Age, Kashmir is a tourist place and banning of internet is undemocratic.”
While accusing union government Azad said that all the projects and programmes incited during their tenure of government in the state and centre has been halfway or slowed down and not reached toothier conclusion.
Azad also showed displeasure over increasing fire incidents in different parts of Doda where shops in huge number were gutted mysteriously, He also not ruled out any suspicion.
In Doda he inaugurated the community hall. The newly constructed building has been constructed under MPLAD scheme funded by Azad and completed at an estimated cost of Rs 2.50 crore heart of Doda town.
Azad said that the construction of similar community centers was started in all the major towns of the district and few of them have been already dedicated to the people.
He urged the district administration to utilize these centres for organizing government programmes besides asked to allow the building for wedding purposes with minimal charges, to be used for maintenance of building.
MLA Inderwal Ghulam Mohammad Saroori, MLC Naresh Gupta, Former legislators Abdul Majid Wani, Sharief Niaz, DDC Doda Bhupinder Kumar besides officer of district administration were present on the occasion.