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Journalism of Courage
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today chose a large election rally in Kashmir to remind Pakistan that it has to go after those behind the Mumbai terror attacks: 8220;Our desire to normalise relations with Pakistan will not be fulfilled unless it stops the use of its land for terrorist acts against our country8221;.
Many in the Valley were reminded of a speech five years ago by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee when he chose Kashmir to offer a hand of friendship to Pakistan with similar demands.
Singh began his speech with Eid greetings and congratulated people for their massive participation in the ongoing Assembly elections. 8220;Your interest in elections is proof that you have full faith in democracy,8221; he told this one-time stronghold of separatists.
8220;It has always been my view that both countries India and Pakistan need to build their relationship together through mutual understanding. We want to make our relations normal with Pakistan,8221; he said. 8220;You all know what happened in Mumbai recently. It is evident that there are a few people in Pakistan who are ready to conduct such bloody attacks on our country.8221; He said the fight against terrorism with continue with full preparation.
Then he brought up Kashmir. 8220;We want that a solution for J038;K and all other issues are achieved in a peaceful atmosphere through friendly dialogue. We cannot alter the borders but we can reduce unnecessary restrictions along them and we can minimise their importance,8221; he said. This had the crowd cheering.
The rally was held in the foothills of a mountain deep inside South Kashmir8217;s Shangus constituency where the Congress party is a frontrunner in the polls.
Reminding people about the confidence building measures that New Delhi took over the years to bring the two divided parts of Kashmir closer, Singh said India cannot move forward unless Pakistan takes control of its internal situation.
8220;It was a demand of not only people living along the borders but the people of entire Jammu and Kashmir that roads with Pakistan Occupied Kashmir be opened as they were before 1953. You have witnessed substantial progress towards it. Today you can go and meet your relatives in PoK. Your relatives can come from there to meet you here. Through our efforts, these roads are now open for trade as well,8221; he said.
Maintaining that terror attacks emanating from Pakistani soil are blocking New Delhi8217;s forward movement on Kashmir, Singh said 8220;it is our endeavour that even more roads across LoC are opened and hassles in this travel are also removed. But for this dream to come true, our neighbouring country needs to find control over its internal situation.8221;
8220;I want to tell you today that our desire to normalise our relations with Pakistan will not be fulfilled till our neighbouring country stops the use of its land for terrorist acts against our country,8221; he said. 8220;Our good wishes should not be construed as our weakness.8221;
Singh said he had a message for the youth who had taken the road to extremism. 8220;They should shun the path of bloodshed and destruction and join the mainstream,8221; he said. 8220;You know that no issue can be resolved through bloodshed. It only brings destruction. The problems that you are facing, the issues 8212; whether they are political or economic, social or of bread and butter 8212; can be resolved through dialogue and democratic means alone.8221;
