New Delhi, April 2
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said today that no efforts would be spared in addressing the “internal dimensions” of the problem of militancy in the state and bringing peace.

Emerging from a 40-minute meeting with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee here, Mr Sayeed told reporters that the state government would accelerate the development programme in Jammu and Kashmir.

Mr Sayeed said he had sought assistance for the development of the state and also briefed the Prime Minister that his government had spent 95 per cent of the previous funds as per the allocation.

Asked whether there was any discussion on the healing touch policy of his government, Mr Sayeed said healing touch was not a policy but a philosophy. “It deals against corruption, provides job opportunities, ensures all-round development and heals the wounds of people who have been braving militancy, he said.

“Can any government be opposed to this philosophy,” Mr Sayeed said, adding that “Mujhe lagta hai Prime Minister is se itefaq karte hain (I feel the Prime Minister supports this policy).

Asked if the security situation in the state, especially after the Nadimarg massacre, came up for discussion during his talks with Mr Vajpayee, Mr Sayeed said the present policies of the state government did not augur well for the “enemies” of peace and the country.

Admitting that the Nadimarg massacre in which 24 Kashmiri Pandits were killed, was a “sad incident”, Mr Sayeed said the state government had been persuading other minority community people to stay calm. “We are going to ensure that such things do not happen again.”

Among other issues discussed with the Prime Minister were completion of the railway project to the valley by 2007, defreezing of Central Government vacancies in the state and the horticulture programme.