PDP resolve to work for final resolution of Kashmir issue: Mehbooba

 Jammu, February 19 (Scoop News)-  Reiterating resolve of her party to address aspirations of all regions and sub-regions of the State, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti today said that the visionary Self-Rule document formulated by the party- for the resolution of Kashmir problem, is prepared by accommodating wishes of all the stake holders .

 Addressing one day convention of the senior leaders of Jammu province, Mehbooba reiterated that resolution of Kashmir problem is the core issue of the party and PDP would continue its on-going campaign through democratic means. “People of Jammu and Ladakh are equal stakeholders in the problem so PDP has involved residents of these two regions also in the debate to arrive at a consensus for the resolution”, she said and pointed out that Self-Rule document forwarded by the party is aimed at addressing problems of all this region  utioning against putting sensitive Kashmir issue under the carpet, she said that solution of this problem is must for sustainable peace and economic growth of this region because  esolution of this problem is key to the lasting peace and prosperity in the entire South Asian. She further said that resolution of this issue would help to realize full  otential of the region. While demanding to free the state of Jammu and Kashmir from the siege, PDP emphasized on expanding the scope of trans LoC trade and travel. She argued that to make the historic 2005 initiatives more meaningful it is necessary to remove the hassles in the  ovement of goods and passengers. The facility of visiting both sides of LoC should be extended beyond the divided families to common citizens of the two sides She said that opening of some points on LoC was a good beginning but lot more needed to be done. She also demanded opening of Jammu-Sailkote, Bandipore-Gurez-Gilgit, Chhamb Jourian-Mirpur, Nowshere-Mirpur-Kotli and Teetwal-Chilhan routes to exploit the full potential of this region “Opening of all traditional routes through Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh would help the State in harnessing its inherent potential as a business centre as it was before 47”, she said, adding “socio-economic growth of the State has been restricted after the partition due to plugging of all routes connecting Jammu and Kashmir with rest of the world The  elf rule aimed at creating Jammu and Kashmir as a bridge between India and Pakistan and both the countries would offer tariff reductions and develop this belt as Free Trade zone. Development of this area as free trade zone would attract maximum foreign direct investment, she suggested while elaborating the self-rule document   

She made a reference towards resolution of SAARC to make South Asia as Trade Free Zone. “On experiment basis let us start his process from this region”, she said PDP president further said that there is need to create an atmosphere of trust and confidence and release of political prisoners and hundreds of innocent youth, who have been languishing in different jails, is must in this regard 

Earlier a resolution was moved in the meeting which was passed unanimously.  In the resolution Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) places on record its anguish at the inability of the Government of India to adequately respond to the crisis in Jammu and Kashmir that has repeatedly manifested itself in different shapes of discontent and yearning for peace. It feels that instead of reaching out to the distressed people and initiating substantial measures to find a lasting solution to the problem the government focus has shifted to silencing dissent through strong arm methods and repression. In the process the people have been deprived even of those rights which had otherwise served as a silver lining on a dark horizon. The PDP expresses its strong disapproval of wanton resort to arrests, crackdowns, indiscriminate use of PSA and subversion of judicial process. It reiterates its belief in battle of ideas that must be fought politically while respecting people’s dignity and rights. Unfortunately at present an exclusive dependence on punitive procedures has become a norm that has resulted in drastic shrinking of political space. With political activity in a limbo, dissidents in jail and an entire generation of young people on the receiving end of state repression J&K instead of looking like part of a vibrant democracy is fast degenerating into a police state – an island of darkness amidst an increasingly democratic world around it The party is worried that none of the announcements made by government of India in the wake of last year’s unrest has been implemented even partially. To the contrary everything is being done and said to negate these initiatives, be it release of youth, reduction in troops or revocation of AFSPA. On the ground the problems of people on all these counts are increasing with more and more youth filling police stations and jails, additional security camps and outright rejection of AFSPA revocation. The state has never witnessed such degradation of human dignity with parents and families queuing up outside police stations in order to secure release of their wards that never happens without a price, if at all

PDP expresses complete solidarity with the people and especially those who are in direct line of government fire. It will stand by them and reiterates its resolve to fight with full vigour for their democratic rights utilizing people’s mandate and democratic space. The party will continue to work for the final resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir problem making its Self Rule vision as guiding force. The party calls upon government of India and the political leaders of the country to display a genuine appreciation of the problems faced by the people of J&K and set in motion a consensual and sustained process for resolution. An immediate halt to repressive measures, release of all young men and political activists, full restoration of political activity, a visible reduction of troops in civilian areas and   vocation of AFSPA alone would restore the trust of people in country’s system and lay foundations for a permanent and amicable resolution. The party feels in absence of these measures Kashmir will continue to be seen as a dark spot on India’s fair name and  ontinue to spawn mistrust and tragedies that have marked the six decade long association.  

Trilok Singh Bajwa, Balbir Singh,  Rafiq Hussain Khan, MLA Mendhar, Choudhary Zulikar Ali,  MLA Darhal, Sayed Asgar Ali, MLC, Ved Mahajan, Daman Bhasin, Shanti Devi, Muzaffar Bazi, R K Bali, Deepinder Kour, Surjeet Kour, Susheela Jamwal, Sukhdev Sharma, Hamid Manhas, Prof Shoib, Surinder Singh, Farooq Mir, A R Wani, Shakir Siddiqui, Captain Anil Gour,  Narinder Singh Raina, Rajinder Manhas, Suresh Sharma, H R C Chargotra, Ashok Bhat, Ashok Jogi and others addressed the meeting.

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