Mufti said Decision on troop-cut, AFSPA revocation should be left to political leadership

Anantnag, April 19 – Former J & K Chief Minister, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has said the reduction of troops and revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) are the fundamental ingredients of the peace process and these measures can’t be now delayed on one pretext or the other.

Addressing public meetings in Shangus and Kokernag assembly segments of the Anantnag parliamentary constituency in Kashmir today, Sayeed said the decision on troop-cut and revocation of AFSPA should be taken as per the public sentiment and in consideration of the desirability of the State’s political leadership on the issue.  He said after the recent tragic incidents at Bomai (Sopore) and Khaigam (Pakherpora), people have sent across a clear message that they want minimum presence of security forces around and in view of the mounting public pressure even the State Chief Minister had to make a commitment on the floor of the house that the AFSPA would be revoked. “The decision on troop-cut and AFSPA revocation, in tune with the public sentiment, should be left to the political leadership of the State and the country instead of creating confusion on the issue by various quarters,” he said and added that army’ job is not to safeguard territories, it should provide a comfort level to the people as well.

Stressing that a renewed and resolute political effort has to be made to reach out to the people of Kashmir, Sayeed made it clear that democracy should not be confined only to holding of elections in the State, the civil society and the institutions of democracy must get a free play. “It is time that bold, strong and, of course, measured initiatives are taken to strengthen the people’s faith in the process of dialogue and peaceful resolution,” he said and referred to his letter to the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on 5th March 2007, in which he (Mufti) had pointed out “it is very important that J&K’s relations with rest of the country should not be symbolized at the local level by the soldier and his gun alone.”

Expressing dismay over the flip-fop statements by various security agencies on the number of militants operating in the State and the infiltration levels, Sayeed said such pronouncements would not only set a blow to the people’s confidence but would severely impede the economic rejuvenation of the State. “The reasons behind the drastic decline of around 25% voter turnout in the first phase of Lok Sabha polls in the State as compared to 2008 assembly polls need to be looked into and comparison drawn with the significant increase in the turnout during 2004 Lok Sabha polls as compared to 2002 assembly elections,” he said and added that one of the reasons appear to be fast eroding people’s faith in the system and mounting alienation and cynicism because of the State Government’s failure to address their just political and economic concerns.

In the ongoing elections, Sayeed said PDP is seeking mandate for carrying forward the unaccomplished political and economic agenda that was pioneered by the Coalition Government led by the party between 2002 and 2005.  He said the measures of immense political and economic significance taken by the PDP-led Coalition Government had not only transformed the political discourse within the State but facilitated some noteworthy initiatives towards the peaceful and amicable settlement of the Kashmir issue. “But the task was left midway after the change of guard in 2005 and only a credible and strong-headed political leadership could secure peace, progress and dignity for the people of Jammu & Kashmir,” he said and added that PDP has laid strong foundations towards achieving this objective and the party would strive towards accomplishing its agenda of peace and prosperity for Jammu & Kashmir.

"We had set a goal of healing physical, psychological and emotional wounds inflicted by violence across the state, strive towards giving good governance, ensuring political stability and fulfilling expectations of the people of the state, we made efforts and succeeded in numerous ways," Sayeed said and added that a lot is, however, yet to be accomplished.

PDP candidate for Anantnag parliamentary constituency Peer Mohammad Hussain, legislators Abdul Gafar Sofi, Chowdhary Nizam-ud-Din Khatana and Mansoor Hussain and PDP leaders Sehar Iqbal, Abdul Majid Mir and Abdul Rahim Rather also addressed the meetings.  

Meanwhile, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) General Secretary Ghulam Nabi Patel and Srinagar District Youth President of the National Conference Noor Mohammad alias Bitta today joined the PDP in presence of the party Patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

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