The Hindu : Coalition puts up a show of unity

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 18, 2002

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Other States - Jammu & Kashmir

Coalition puts up a show of unity

By Shujaat Bukhari

RAJOURI DEC. 17. For the first time after the PDP-led Government assumed office, its coalition partners put up a show of unity here and swore by the Common Minimum Programme to restore peace in Jammu and Kashmir. The Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, handed over appointment letters to 64 families of victims of violence. Tthe Deputy Chief Minister, Mangat Ram Sharma, the Finance Minister, Muzaffar Hussain Beig, the Panther's Party chief, Bhim Singh, and the leader of the People's Democratic Forum, Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami, spoke at a public meeting here in which flags and banners of the coalition partners fluttered.

"We will give a stable government as all of us are committed to CMP which reflects the aspirations and wishes of the people of all the three regions,'' Mr. Tarigami said.

Bhim Singh criticised the forces that did not want the Government to deliver effectively. "It is for the first time people have chosen a different government in accordance with the needs of the State which is culturally diverse.'' Mr. Beig said, "gone are the days when people had to pay to chaprasi for an audience with the Minister''.

The Mufti said militants had played havoc with the people. But security forces should observe restraint while dealing with the militants.

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