Give peace a chance, says PM

New Delhi, Aug 10 (PTI) Unveiling a fresh initiative to
address the unrest in Kashmir, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh Tuesday urged the people there to "give peace a chance"
and promised a sustained "internal and external" dialogue.
In his first public comments on the recent trouble in
the Valley that has resulted in the death of nearly 50 people,
Singh utilised a meeting with political parties from the state
to reach out directly to the youth who are in the forefront of
the current agitation.
In remarks telecast live to a national audience, the
Prime Minister spoke of "great pain" caused to him by the
events in Kashmir and said, "I share the grief, the sorrow and
the sense of loss of every mother, every father, every family
and every child in Kashmir".
"Let us make a new beginning," he urged and said, " I
appeal to the youth to go back to their schools and colleges
and allow classes to resume. I ask their parents what future
is there for Kashmir if your children are not educated?"
At the same time, Singh made it clear that the cycle of
violence must now come to an end. It was the Government's duty
to maintain law and order, and "we cannot allow the turmoil to
continue".
The Prime Minister spoke of the "challenging task" being
performed by the state police and other security forces,
noting that many of them had been seriously injured in the
past few weeks.
Singh also announced setting up of an expert group under
the chairmanship of noted economist Dr C Rangarajan to
formulate a jobs plan for the state involving public and
private sectors. It will submit its report within three
months.
Central Ministers Pranab Mukherjee, A K Antony, P
Chidambaram, S M Krishna and Ghulam Nabi Azad, Jammu and
Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah were present at the
meeting at the Prime Minister's House. The state's main
opposition People's Democratic Party and Bharatiya Janata
Party kept away.
Among those participating from the state included
National Conference President Farooq Abdulla, CPM leader
Mohammed Yusuf Tarigami, Independent MLAs Ghulam Hasan Mir.
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