We are with you, Omar tells border villagers

Jammu : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah assured people in the state's border villages of full support in the face of repeated cease-fire violations by Pakistan and said: "You should not feel alone, we all are with you." Speaking Friday to a large number of people affected by shelling from the neighboring country at R.S. Pure in Samba district, Omar Abdullah said that repeated violations of ceasefire could not occur without the knowledge of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan. Since January this year, there have been frequent violations of the November 2003 ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan by that country. Omar Abdullah said the 2003 ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan was the highest gift for the people living on the international border and the LoC, who until then faced much shelling and firing. He said despite the bitterness between India and Pakistan on many occasions because of militancy and terrorist strikes, the agreement had stood firm for the last 10 years and the borders had been peaceful and tranquil. Expressing concern over the ceasefire violations, the brunt of which was borne by civilians living near the border and LoC areas, the chief minister said: "This is in nobody's interest, and only endangers the life of people of border areas. "I fail to understand. When Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif talks of peace and resolution of issues amicably through dialogue, why does Pakistan indulge in violation of the ceasefire? As the prime minister of Pakistan, the violation of ceasefire cannot be without his consent. "If that is so, then what is the use of the prime minister talking friendship and dialogue?" Omar Abdullah asked. Praising the people living near the border for their bravery, the chief minister expressed the hope that peace and tranquillity would be restored near the border and the LoC, allowing people to return to their routines. The chief minister was speaking during his visit to affected areas in Jammu and Samba districts. Omar Abdullah interacted with affected families, made an on-the-spot assessment of the situation and received briefs from the divisional administration on the measures being taken to provide the necessary help to the affected people. The chief minister was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, legislator and provincial president of the ruling National Conference Devender Singh Rana, former minister and sitting legislator S.S. Slathia and officials of the divisional administration. Omar Abduallah heard the accounts that people in the villages gave him of damage to life, property and crops in the shelling. He advised those who wanted to play politics with the misery of the common people to join hands with the state and the central government to mitigate the difficulties of those affected by the shelling and shun negative politicking. He said the issue of recruitment of youth from the border areas in paramilitary forces and the army had been taken up with the union home minister. "We have emphasized the need for recruiting the youth of these areas in the army and paramilitary forces and will continue to stress about it," he said. He said a proposal for the construction of bunkers for the civilian population in the affected areas would also be sent to the central government soon. The chief minister visited a family whose house was damaged by mortar shells fired by Pakistan Rangers. He also visited the Abduliyain frontier village in R.S. Pura sector and interacted with families living there. The chief minister travelled along the zero-line of the international border from R.S.Pura to Samba and also the Pargwal area of Akhnoor tehsil in Jammu district.