No peace in JK till troop cut, AFSPA revoked: Mehbooba

Srinagar, Oct 27: PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti today said inquiries into killings of innocent civilians by security personnel would not yield anything unless a comprehensive plan was chalked out for troop reduction and revocation of the controversial Armed Forces (Special) Powers Act (AFSPA) from Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing the people at Bijbehara in Anantnag district, Ms Mufti expressed her concern over alleged increase in the human rights violations in Kashmir valley in the recent past.

She called for a strong political will to get rid the people of the state of the prevailing highly disturbing scenario, which they were face to face with.

Ms Mufti observed that cold blood murder of a teacher followed by reports of the Army killing of a mentally challenged person depicted a dismal picture of the human rights in the state.

''Exactly a week after killing a teacher, the Army has repeated the bloodshed at Watlab in Sopore area of Baramulla district,'' he said.

The PDP president said probes would not yield anything unless a comprehensive plan for troop reduction and revocation of special powers granted to forces was not chalked out.

The PDP had advocated the demand of troop reduction keeping in view of the public sentiments within the framework of constitution and democratic space of the country, she added.

Ms Mufti said that the delay in addressing the popular sentiment of the people, who had waded through pools of blood to give peace a chance, would negate the positive gains of the past.

So all the right thinking political leadership cutting across the party lines should add their voice in mitigating the sufferings of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, she added.

Meanwhile, Ms Mufti expressed shock and grief over the fire at Gurez area of north Kashmir's Bandipora district, which destroyed at least 29 houses and 25 cowsheds.

Expressing solidarity with the affected families, the PDP chief said the loss caused due to the massive fire should be assessed and urged the government to disburse compensation to the affected families with immediate effect.

UNI