Disallow your territory for anti-India attacks: PM to Pak

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday put Pakistan on notice saying that normalisation of Indo-Pak relations was possible only after Islamabad prevents its territory from being used to carry out terror acts against this country.

Addressing an election rally here, the Prime Minister said the country was committed to resolving all bilateral issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, through dialogue and wanted normalisation of bilateral relations.

But, this is not possible unless Pakistan prevents its territory from being used by "certain elements" to carry out terrorist acts against India, he said in the backdrop of heightened tension between the two neighbours,

"Our silence should not be misconstrued as our weakness," Singh told the well-attended rally.

He said it was clear that there are certain elements in Pakistan who were involved in the Mumbai terror strikes.

"Our fight against terrorism will continue," he asserted.

Singh said "we cannot change the borders but lessen the restrictions on travel between the two countries.

"More links with Pakistan would be reopened for greater people-to-people contacts and to improve trade relations," he said.

PM asks militants to shun violence

Contending that nothing can be achieved through violence, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today asked Kashmiri militants to shun the path of violence and join the mainstream.

"I want to tell my young friends who have adopted the path of extremism to shun the path of violence and join the national mainstream," Singh told an election rally here.

"You know that nothing can be achieved through violence. No issue can be resolved through bloodshed. It (violence) only causes death and destruction," he said, adding that whatever be the problem - political or financial, - it can be resolved through peaceful means and dialogue.

Addressing the audience as "brothers and sisters", the Prime Minister said he was aware of the problems being faced by the people, especially women, in Jammu and Kashmir.

"I know you have not tasted security and prosperity. The goal of Congress party and my government is to heal the old wounds and remove the difficulties being faced by you," he said.

He promised that his party and government would work "wholeheartedly" for the welfare of the people of the border state.

Asking people to vote for Congress to strengthen the hands of party president Sonia Gandhi, Singh said his government will pay utmost attention to get rid of unemployment and promote industry and tourism in J-K.

"We know your difficulties. We wish that 'aam admi' gets the basic facilities of good roads, power supply and drinking water and Congress party is capable of taking the state to new heights," he said.

Union Water Resources Minister and JKPCC president Saifuddin Soz and former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad also spoke on the occasion.