Jammu, January 28 (Scoop News) – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today demanded release of political prisoners and hundreds of innocent youth, who have been languishing in different jails, to create atmosphere conducive for establishing peace in the region.
While discussing the prevailing situation in the State in the Legislative Party meeting, PDP leaders reminded the State Government that no strong arm methods have ever succeeded in defeating an idea so there is need to adopt humanistic approach to address aspirations of the people instead of using state apparatus to stifle voice of the common masses.
Ridiculing government’s call to the separatist leaders to come for the dialogue, PDP observed that without creating conducive atmosphere talks were not possible. Releasing of all the political prisoners is the pre-requisite condition for creating environment for initiating dialogue.
Government has been asking separatists to come forward for dialogue but most of the separatist leaders have been languishing in jails, so this offer reflects that government is not serious in initiating meaningful dialogue. If government is serious in bringing separatist leaders on the table, it should first create atmosphere for that.
Without creating conducive atmosphere on ground, such attempts would not yield any encouraging result. Party reiterated that government must take some Confidence Building Measures (CBM) to revive the shattered confidence of people and releasing of political prisoners and youth would be first effective CBM in this regard.
Party observed that on the one hand State Government has been indulged into harassing, torturing, and killing innocent people, while on the other the same regime has been asking separatist to come for dialogue.
Government’s statements not match with its actions and it is every much evident from the fact that arrest of innocent youth of fake charges has been going unabated. The party pointed out that even the political workers of opponent groups have been implicated in false and fabricated cases which further added panic among the masses.
PDP, however, made it clear that the party would not compromise on the issues relating to the fundamental rights and civil liberties of the people.
Party pointed out that the State Government itself had set an agenda of reviewing draconian laws like AFSPA, reduction of troops and release of prisoners but only the reverse of these objectives was being followed.
As the ruling clique has been adopting suppressive measures to curb the genuine voice for justice on one hand and indulging in nepotism and corruption in all fields of governance, alienation among people has been increasing.
Party leaders especially mentioned towards backdoor appointments in the government departments. Party expressed its serious concern that there is no transparency in the recruitment process and agents of the ruling party are minting money in the name of recruitment.
Party, while taking serious note of exclusion of J&K Bank as bankers of the State, regretted that National Conference has gradually surrendered all resources of the State just for the lust of power. After brazenly surrendering rights of the water, the same National Conference has now surrendered J&K Bank which is not only a flagship financial institution of the state but it represents the ability of our professionals to script great success story.
In the meeting, party decided to effectively take up these issues in the coming days to force the government to withdrawn its wrong decisions.
Reiterating party’s resolve to work assiduously for the peaceful resolution of Kashmir problem, it was decided in the meeting to give stiff resistance to the tactics of deceit and repression being adopted by the National Conference. It was decided that these issues would be effectively taken up inside and outside the Assembly.