'Improvement in security must reflect in relief'

Srinagar, Aug 11: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti today said self rule for Jammu and Kashmir was a well considered option presented by her party as a way out for its people to come out of problems.

In a statement, she said the self-rule proposal was already on the agenda of the dialogue initiated by Prime Minister Monmohan Singh and could, therefore, not be wished away.

Ms Mufti said people could have differences with the proposal, but it cannot be rejected outright if a lasting solution to the Kashmir issue was the objective.

The PDP had come into the political arena of the state with its demand for peace with dignity and over the years the self rule proposal, through discussions within the party forum and inputs from different quarters, has evolved as a workable and pragmatic roadmap to achieve this goal, she added.

Ms Mufti said the party had passed a formal resolution approving the concept of self rule and establishing a historical prospective for it. The proposal was formally launched at the first round-table conference chaired by the Prime Minister in New Delhi.

Subsequently, in the second round-table at Srinagar, the party reiterated this position providing more details, she added.

The PDP Chief said at a time when the dialogue process has been initiated between the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the Centre and various groups constituted to deliberate upon different aspects of the problem and come up with possible solution, it is highly inappropriate to rule out any proposition. Such an approach could dilute the seriousness of the dialogue process, she added.

Ms Mufti said if at any point of time, the PDP gets an impression that its viewpoint was being blocked without being discussed and accommodated in the dialogue process, it would be futile for the party to participate in the special groups.

Ms Mufti said Kashmir has suffered for too long as a result of the efforts to underplay the political dimension of the issue.

The PDP, she said, proved since 2002 that the development agenda could be carried forward without sacrificing the political aspirations of the people of the state.

''A similar approach needs to be followed if we want to see an end to the economic and political problems that have been costing heavily in terms of human life and property,'' she added.

Ms Mufti reiterated that the improvement in security situation will have a meaning for the common man only when it was translated into relief.

''Unless the reduction in violence level is reflected in day today life of ordinary citizens, the claims about it will lack credibility,'' she added.

UNI

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