Jagti/Jammu, November 4
Union Home Minister P Chidambaram said the Services Board cricket team should play another match in Srinagar to repair the damage done by their decision to pull out of yesterday’s fixture against Jammu and Kashmir.
Talking to mediapersons at Jagti township this morning, about 20 km from here, which is being developed for housing displaced Kashmiri Pandits, Chidambaram said the decision of forfeiture of the match was taken at a lower level.
“I express my strong displeasure at the decision. If I had known it in time, I would have ensured it did not happen,” he said. “The Services Board must request the BCCI to schedule another match in Srinagar,” Chidambaram said.
He requested that we should look ahead now and he would ensure cricket matches and others sports tournaments were held in Srinagar.
“I will see that a cricket match takes place in Srinagar,” he asserted.
On the ban on pre-paid phone connections, Chidambaram said it was the need of the hour. “We have strong reasons for banning the phones. It was for national security,” he added.
Talking to mediapersons at the Pradesh Congress Committee office this afternoon, the Home Minister said Kashmir issue needed a political solution.
“We are talking to anyone, albeit quietly for the peaceful solution of the issue,” he said. Calling upon party workers to
play their role in restoring peace in the state, the Union Home Minister said like the PDP and the NC, the Congress was also an important player, which has to play an important role in solution of this problem. “Besides other political parties and groups, I want to know the view of Congress workers,” he said, adding that the opinion of all shades of people would be discussed before reaching at a solution of this problem.
Stressing on the need of early solution of Kashmir problem, the Union Home Minister observed: “How long we will allow this problem to continue. If we have to act as an important player of world politics we have to solve our internal problems.”
The Union Home Minister was of the opinion that an effective government was must to solve internal problems in the state. He said the government had been a casualty in the state and there was a need to improve the quality of governance.
He stressed on the need of intensifying economic activities in the state to create more job opportunities for youth. “This state has sufficient human and natural resources,” he observed and stressed on utilising all resources.
