Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, Oct 09
– National Conference today pledged to uphold the distinct identity of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, adding that unity in diversity has been the greatest strength and hallmark of the state from times immemorial.
“Together we, the Dogras, the Kashmiris and the Ladakhis, can meet the challenges and steer the state to peace and harmony”, Mr Rana said while interacting with the functionaries at a meeting at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan here this morning, adding that this spirit has to be kept alive at all costs, especially as the state is standing at cross roads of its history. He said that despite geographical, linguistic and cultural differences, the state has been a unique example of pluralism, which kept shining during most testing times under the banner of National Conference. This spirit has to be kept alive at all costs, he maintained. Mr Devender Singh Rana said the state is at the cross roads of its history wherein National Conference has a huge role to play for welfare and well-being of the people keeping in view their urges and aspirations. Mr Rana stressed the need for reaching out to the people at this crucial juncture, working towards restoration of peace and ensuring harmony at all costs. The Provincial President said that unity among people is paramount to dissuade the elements, who are hell bent upon sowing seeds of discord and mistrust. The people have to maintain vigil against such forces to ensure that the state retains its glorious traditions of inclusiveness and distinct identity, he added.
The meeting took stock of the overall political scenario in the state and called for intensifying initiatives to restore normalcy by winning over the hearts and minds of the people. It expressed concern over continued communication lockdown in the entire state, detention of political leaders and restrictions on liberty of people in Kashmir. It also sought immediate release of all the detenues. Prominent among those present in the meeting included Mr Surjeet Singh Salathia, Mr Rattan Lal Gupta, Mr Javeed Rana, Mr Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo, Mr Rachpal Singh, Sheikh Bashir Ahmed, Sheikh Abdul Rehman, Th. Kashmira Singh, Mr Abdul Gani Malik, Qazi Jalal Ud Din, Babu Rampaul, Mr Brij Mohan Sharma, Mrs Bimla Luthra, Mr Haji Mohd Hussain,Master Noor Hussain, Mr Jugal Mahajan, Mr Gurdeep Singh Sasan, Mr Anil Dhar, Ch. Haroon, Mr Pardeep Bali, Mr Abdul Gani Teli, Mr Vijay Lochan, Mr S.S Bunty, Mrs Vijay Laxami Dutta, Mr Bashir Ahmed Wani, Mr Dharamveer Singh Jamwal, Mrs Dilshad Malik, Mrs Reeta Gupta, Mrs Sawarn Latta, Dr. Shamshad Shan, Mr S. Narinder Singh, Mr Mohinder Gupta, Mr G. H Malik, Mr Ashok Singh Manhas, Mr Ashok Dogra, Mr Thoru Ram Mandi , Mr M. K Yogi, Mr Bal Krishan Bhat and others.
