Nothing has been achieved with the help of gun: Omar Abdullah

Srinagar, Aug 17 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has stated that the use of guns and violence cannot resolve issues of the valley.

Addressing a public reception here on Tuesday, Abdullah said: "Nothing has been achieved with the help of gun. For the last twenty years, Kashmir has been living under the shadow of guns at the behest of certain external forces who wished to annex."

"Has a single inch of land been moved here and there? Not even an inch Now, after twenty years when the guns could not achieve anything, now those people have given them stones to the youth and coaxed them to go in quest of freedom. Is it possible?" he added.

He also reiterated that the state is an integral part of India and no instigator of violence can disturb this.

"The adverse effects of gun and violence have engulfed Pakistan and there is immediate need for that country to join hands with India to fight terrorism, enabling the peace to prevail in the region," he said.

He expressed disappointment about certain separatist factions and some people pelting stones at security personnel deployed to ensure public safety and security.

The issue of Jammu and Kashmir is a political issue and hence only a political solution would resolve it, he said.

"We need to find a political solution fro this. Today, we got this chance and even the central government has accepted the fact that the merging of Jammu and Kashmir with India happened in a special situation. The situation was very unfavourable at the time of the merger of Jammu and Kashmir with India. The solution of this issue should also be unique," added Omar Abdullah.

The Kashmir Valley is witnessing a surge of violence that has led the authorities to impose frequent curfew restrictions in several parts of the state.

A curfew was initially imposed on June 30 in parts of northern and southern Kashmir to stop demonstrations over a couple of protesters who died in police firing.

It was lifted some days later, but was again imposed as fresh violence erupted. (ANI)