Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kischenchand Advani on Friday said the recent assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir had improved India's image and the country's democracy cannot be shaken by violence.
"I want to congratulate the people of Jammu and Kashmir for showing faith in democracy by participating enthusiastically in the election despite all problems, threats and speculation over the fairness of polls," he told a gathering in Jammu after inaugurating the Jammu airport terminal.
"This [election] has demonstrated that the foundation of democracy in India is very strong and violence and killings cannot shake it," Advani, who is reviewing the security situation of the state, said.
Stating that the thrust of the Vajpayee government was on security and development of the country, he said the focus was on infrastructure development including improvement of road, rail and air networks.
He expressed confidence that the Kashmir valley would soon have a rail link with rest of the country, adding a lot of work is going on for the development of Srinagar, Jammu, Leh and Kargil airports.
Earlier, Civil Aviation Minister Shahnawaz Hussain announced that the Centre had decided to hand over Kargil airport to the defence ministry because of its proximity to the Pakistan border and vulnerability to cross-border shelling.
The defence ministry will facilitate the civilian traffic from that airport, he said.
Hussain said the Aiport Authority of India would spend Rs 40 crore [approximately US $8 million] on improving the facilities of the Srinagar airport.
Direct flights for pilgrimage have already begun from the airport last year, he added.
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