Azad asks J&K govt to help rebuild trust among communities

Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha and senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad today asked Jammu and Kashmir government to take necessary steps at rebuilding trust and confidence among different sections of society.
Commenting on recent communal clashes in Rajouri area of Jammu region, Azad also cautioned the people to see the "sinister motives of devious forces" who are "hell-bent" to disturb peace and tranquillity in the state.
In a statement, Azad, who is former Chief Minister of the state, called for immediate steps to restore peace and harmony in the affected areas of Pir Panjal.
Rajouri and Kishtawar areas are witnessing Hindu-Muslim clashes after a right wing group burnt a flag.

He appealed to peace-loving people of Rajouri in particular and that of the state in general to remain vigilant about the "nefarious designs of disruptive forces" and requested them to maintain calm and tranquillity at all costs.
"I hope that people of the state will not fall prey to machinations of disruptive forces and will maintain calm and amity at all costs," he said and appealed to the community leaders to rise above religious affiliations and narrow considerations and strive for restoring amity, confidence and peace in strife-torn areas of Rajouri.

Asking the state government and the local administration to take all the necessary steps for early restoration of peace and harmony, he said "there is an urgent need to rebuild the trust and confidence amongst the different sections of society and the state government should fulfil its duty towards the people."

He asked the people to see through "the sinister motives of the devious forces hell bent to disturb peace and tranquillity in the state", he said adding that due to their machinations, people have already suffered immensely.
"Therefore, they should not fall prey to such hideous provocations," he said.
Exhorting the young generation to take cognisance of the rapid progress being made by the country and the world, Azad said that progress and development of the state hinges on a peaceful atmosphere and they should come forth to lead the course as it is their future and career which remains at stake.

He also called for an inclusive discourse of harmony, peace and amity in the state.