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Indian-controlled Kashmir minister credits militants for peaceful elections

Xinhua, March 1, 2015 Adjust font size:

New Chief Minister of Indian-controlled Kashmir Mufti Mohammed Sayeed said on Sunday Hurriyat (freedom) Conference leaders, militants and Islamabad provided a conducive atmosphere for local elections.

"The Hurriyat people and militants allowed conducive atmosphere for the recent Assembly elections. Even from across the border, Pakistan also helped in keeping the atmosphere conducive," Sayeed told a press conference following his oath-taking ceremony. "They have a role and there is need to engage them in talks as well."

Sayeed, from the regional pro-India Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), will a coalition government with India's ruling Hindu nationalist Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP). With this cabinet, rightwing BJP for the first time rose up to rule the predominantly Muslim-majority region.

Sayeed's remarks evoked a criticism from the opposition National Conference and former chief minister Omar Abdullah.

"Dear BJP, please explain role of security forces and polling staff considering your CM just said - Pak allowed elections in J&K " Abdullah wrote on his twitter account.

PDP and BJP, though ideologically different, held negotiations over last two months to try to forge an alliance government in the region.

The two parties hold divergent views on main issues, like withdrawal of military from the restive region, special powers to military personnel that could exonerate them from charges of murder and rape in the restive region, special status to Indian- controlled Kashmir in Indian constitution and resumption of talks with neighboring Pakistan, which administers the other part of the divided Kashmir.

Sayeed on Friday described the alliance as the "coming together of the North Pole and the South Pole."

Indian-controlled Kashmir has seen a separatist movement and guerrilla war challenging New Delhi's rule since 1989.

New Delhi accuses Islamabad of sending armed militants to the restive Indian-controlled Kashmir. However, Islamabad says it only provides moral and political support to Kashmiris.

Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan is claimed by both in full. Since their Independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.

Sayeed, who was the chief minister from 2002 to 2005, will serve a six-year term.

The new government faces challenge of rebuilding the region that suffered an estimated loss of 16 billion U.S. dollars in the last year's devastating floods.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP President Amit Shah and other senior BJP leaders incluing L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi. Endi