Manmohan for new ways to tackle issues

The Indian Premier also made it clear that the government was open to holding dialogue with all shades of opinion in the State, inviting all groups in Kashmir, including APHC, for talks to resolve problems. “They are welcome to come. I am not closing my doors,” he said.

When asked on withdrawal of Armed Forces (Special) Powers Act, he said, “It is too early, frankly, to consider this. If the situation begins to normalise, we have to review it. The situation today is not of that sort. I can’t assure you,” he said. Earlier commissioning the controversial Baglihar Dam in Jammu, he said Pakistan’s concerns had been addressed on the project.

Indian has built 450 MW Baglihar hydel project on Chenab River despite serious objections raised by Pakistan on the design of the project, which had hindered the normal flow of water in the river.

Addressing a public meeting on the occasion at Chandrakote (Jammu), he said while setting up the project, special care had been taken to ensure that “genuine concerns” of Pakistan were taken care of so that it had no complaints on the dam.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi, IHK Governor N N Vohra and Union Ministers Lalu Prasad and Jairam Ramesh accompanied the Indian PM in inaugurating the first phase of 450 MW project.

“It is the duty of people of India and Pakistan to learn to lend a helping hand to each other,” he said, adding “I would like to invite Pakistan to work with India in achieving this objective.”