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People throng Bakshi stadium

By Luv Puri

Photo: Nissar Ahmad

People watching the Independence Day parade at the Bakshi stadium in Srinagar on Friday.

JAMMU AUG. 15. It was a different Independence Day function in Srinagar. For the last 13 years the function was held under tight security with a gathering comprising mostly of public servants and a handful of political activists. This time, though the security was tight people, including women and children from different parts of the Valley thronged the Bakshi stadium to participate in the celebrations.

The Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, said: "The free, fair and transparent elections held in the State allowed free flow of democratic forces. It is only in the last Assembly elections that the people realised that it is they who make the Government and not New Delhi or any other agency. The last elections were a break from the past." The people have every right to change his Government. However, he urged them not to be impatient and give it a reasonable time to deliver.

Mr. Sayeed asserted that he would continue with the healing touch policy of the Prime Minister to win the hearts of the people. He asked the political parties to continue to support him. He expressed optimism that walls of hatred and mistrust between India and Pakistan were weakening. The Prime Minister had taken bold initiatives despite the Kargil experience. People-to-people contact was being strengthened with exchange visits of parliamentarians, presspersons and businessmen of both countries.

He urged the Central Government to address the Kashmir issue with a lot more seriousness and start a dialogue with all sections of society to take the peace process to its logical conclusion.

The Chief Minister announced two economic free zones for Srinagar and Jammu for industrial promotion and expeditious exports from the State. He said more steps would be taken for growth of industry in the State.

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