Vaknaghat (Solan), October 9
Mr L.K.Advani, the Deputy Prime Minister, today said the process for the restoration of peace in Jammu and Kashmir would resume after the formation of the new government in the state. Besides involving the state government and the Opposition, the Centre would be willing to hold a dialogue with the terrorist groups, including the banned outfits, provided they were prepared to lay down arms.

The Deputy Prime Minister, who made a hurried visit to the state to inaugurate the Rs 100-crore JP University of Information Technology, here, today said Mr Arun Jaitley, who was deputed by the Prime Minister to initiate the process of talks would continue with his mission. He said it was the declared policy of the Centre to hold talks with all concerned, including the banned militant groups, if they gave up arms and expressed willingness to involve themselves in the peace process.

He maintained that there was no softening of approach in the fight against terrorism. In fact, the proactive policy adopted by it had brought about a visible change in the “rhetoric” of Pakistani leaders. The killing of innocent people by terrorists was no longer being described as a freedom struggle and such attacks were being condemned. However, they were yet put their words in action and put an end to crossborder terrorism.

Referring to the large turnout of voters in the Assembly poll, he said the country had won and it was a triumph for the Indian democracy. The whole world had accepted that the elections were free and fair. By successfully holding elections in the troubled state, India had presented a stark comparison with Pakistan before the world. On one side, there was virtual dictatorship where two former Prime Ministers had been even denied the voting right and on the other a flourishing democracy. India would be on a stronger footing in dealing with the Kashmir issue.

He said earlier Pakistan was indulging in crossborder terrorism with a view to destabilise the country, but for the past one year, it had been targeting the institution of democracy. First, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly and Parliament House, the symbol of democracy, were attacked and over the past two months, innocent people were killed to spread terror so that no one dared to come out to cast vote. However, the people of Kashmir had defeated its designs.

He refused to answer any question regarding the BJP’s role in the formation of the new government and said he did not want to dilute or belittle the victory of the country by taking a narrow party angle. The issue would be addressed after the counting of votes was over.

Earlier, addressing the gathering after dedicated the university to the people, he said information technology revolution and brought about a sea change in the life and India, which was an intellectual and scientific power, had played leading role in it. While the 20th century, which saw an unprecedented growth on the technological front, belonged to the western country, India would rule the 21st century. The institutions like the JP university would produce trained manpower to achieve this objective.