India PM Manmohan Singh asks Kashmiri Militants to shun Violence 2008

India PM Manmohan Singh asks Kashmiri Militants to shun Violence 2008

Khundroo (PTI): Contending that nothing can be achieved through violence, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday asked Kashmiri militants to shun the path of violence and join the mainstream.

"I want to tell my young friends who have adopted the path of extremism to shun the path of violence and join the national mainstream," Singh told an election rally here.

"You know that nothing can be achieved through violence. No issue can be resolved through bloodshed. It (violence) only causes death and destruction," he said, adding that whatever be the problem - political or financial, - it can be resolved through peaceful means and dialogue.

Addressing the audience as "brothers and sisters", the Prime Minister said he was aware of the problems being faced by the people, especially women, in Jammu and Kashmir.

"I know you have not tasted security and prosperity. The goal of Congress party and my government is to heal the old wounds and remove the difficulties being faced by you," he said.

He promised that his party and government would work "wholeheartedly" for the welfare of the people of the border state.

Asking people to vote for Congress to strengthen the hands of party president Sonia Gandhi, Singh said his government will pay utmost attention to get rid of unemployment and promote industry and tourism in J&K.

"We know your difficulties. We wish that 'aam admi' gets the basic facilities of good roads, power supply and drinking water and Congress party is capable of taking the state to new heights," he said.