J-K begins new year with peace hope

Addressing the gathering at the historic Sher-i-Kashmir Park, Sayeed said he was hopeful that the estrangement between the two nations would end in 2004. ‘‘People of the two nations will break this nafrat ki deewar and Kashmir will become a model for peace, a show-window of development once again,’’ he said.

Cabinet colleagues from the Congress, People’s Democratic Forum and Communist Party were also present.

Assuring people that a ‘‘sellout’’ on Kashmir won’t be accepted and their aspirations would be accounted for, Mufti said he was hopeful that the upcoming SAARC summit would succeed in bringing about a movement towards the composite peace process. He said Kashmir has become the focus not only in the subcontinent but also the entire world.

‘‘Barsageer mein aman ki khushali ke liye, Hind-Pak ki dosti zaroori hain (Indo-Pak friendship is a must for the prosperity of the subcontinent),’’ he told the hundreds gathered at the park. ‘‘Hind-Pak rahenge shadvaabad, jab rasta khulega Muzaffarabad (India and Pakistan will be prosperous when the Muzaffarabad road will be opened).’’

Mufti appealed to militants to shun violence as the gun has lot its relevance and participation in the dialogue process is in the best interests of the tormented people of Kashmir.

‘‘When New Delhi is ready to hold dialogue with people (Hurriyat) as also with Pakistan, there is no role for the gun. I appeal to the militant leadership who are based across (the border) to shelve the gun and give peace a chance.’’ Sayeed promised to pursue New Delhi to carry forward the dialogue process.

Hailing the Id ceasefire, Mufti said it has given relief to the people in the border areas such as Uri,Keran, Karnah and Kargil who otherwise were hit by the continuous shelling. He said the families divided by the border are appearing on respective sides at Keran every day and extending greetings by throwing letters and sweets at each other. ‘‘Seeing the change, an 85-year old woman crosses the LoC to meet her family.’’

Earlier, deputy chief minister Mangat Ram Sharma said the Jammu-Sialkot road should also be opened so that the people of Jammu are able to travel to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.