Pakistan trying to spoil tourist season again 8212; Abdullah

In a bid to spoil the tourism season which has started in the valley, militants shot at a foreign tourist on Saturday in downtown Srinagar.

Abdullah said since the state government was trying to revive tourism in the valley, Pakistan was again trying to sabotage it by sending in mercenaries into the valley.

quot;Firing incidents in border areas were increasing but security personnel have these alien militants on the run,quot; Abdullah said.

He said the security forces in the State were determined to drive these militants out of the soil of the State and ensure that tourism season, which is the manistay of the State8217;s population, passed off smoothly.

However, Abdullah warned Pakistan against trying any experiment like Kargil and said, quot;forget about the Army, people of the State will take intruders by their collar and push them across the Line of Control.quot;

quot;After all, how long would people of the state allow somebody to snatch their daily bread?quot; the Chief Minister asked.

Abdullah said, as of present there were no plans to station more battalions of security forces in the State but added, quot;things are being closely watched and we are evaluating the situation on a daily basis.quot;

Asked about initiating talks with the Hurriyat Conference, he said, quot;I am not against holding talks with anyone provided these bring peace in the region.quot;

Terming the Hurriyat Conference as a 8216;party of leaders without people8217;, Abdullah said, quot;if they are interested in bringing peace in the region, they should first ask militants to shun the path of violence and stop harassing the local population.quot;

Asked about the State8217;S Financial condition, the Chief Minister said, quot;the situation in the State is alarming and if the Centre does not come to the rescue of the State immediately then it will be too late.quot; He demanded immediate attention of the Centre to 8216;heal the wounds of the State caused by the decade-old militancy8217;.

He said while Fifth Pay Commission had put an additional burden of Rs 700 crore on the state exchequer, release of two installments of Dearness Allowances had put a burden of another Rs 400 crore.

quot;Now, when I ask where I am going to get the money from, the Centre has no reply,quot; he said adding all state government employees had been put on par with the central government workers during President8217;s rule.