SRINAGAR: In what is seen as a turnaround, the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah has said he denounces war as a means to resolve disputes.
Earlier on Monday Mr Abdullah had asked New Delhi to respond with force against Pakistan if it countinued violating the ceasefire along the Line of Control.
His comments were criticised by separatist leaders as “childish” and “politically immature”.
Even the Union Home Minister, Sushilkumar Shine who conducted an aerial survey of the International boundary along with Mr Abdullah yesterday also downplayed the Chief Minister’s earlier comments.
“Whenever there is a good policy, we talk of compromise. We cannot become tougher by talking tough. Action is being taken whenever other side breaks the peace along the border. It is not that we are not taking action. We have taken action and we have proved it,” Mr Shinde said.
In a fresh take, Mr Abdullah said he would continue to stress upon Union Government to take up the (firing) matter with Pakistan and resolve the issue “so that peace rules the roost on borders and on the Line of Control.”
“Friendship is like the clap – needing two hands to perform. If one side extends the hand of friendship the other side also needs to reciprocate,” he told a gathering in Tangdar area of the border district of Kupwara.
