J&K house seeks resumption of India-Pakistan talks

A resolution, seeking effective steps to end ceasefire violations in Jammu and Kashmir and resumption of India-Pakistan dialogue, was unanimously adopted in the state legislative council Thursday.

Amrit Malhotra, chairman of the legislative council or the upper house of the bicameral legislature, moved the resolution.

Malhotra said: "The house unanimously resolves that the state government shall urge the union government to take effective steps for prevention of LoC firing, which has caused huge loss of life and property in the affected areas.

"The house also resolves that the state government must urge the union government to resume process of India-Pakistan dialogue to ensure peace and stability in the sub-continent in general and Jammu and Kashmir in particular."

"The house also recommends that the state government should take immediate steps for relief and rehabilitation of the victims of LoC firing and shall provide all required help and facilities to them in this regard," said Malhotra, who belongs to the Congress.

B.R. Kundal, another Congress member of the house, suggested that in addition to the Line of Control, the resolution should include the international border as most of the recent ceasefire violations have been taking place there.

Three amendments were tabled to the resolution by individual members on which the chairman allowed discussion in the house. Later, the amendments were withdrawn.

During the past 46 days, there have been 95 ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the Line of Control and it has also breached the ceasefire agreement 25 times on the international border.