Azad takes dig at Mufti, Mehbooba

Srinagar, Nov 10 (UNI) Apparently taking a dig at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders, including his predecessor Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said the attack on a religious gathering in Pulwama was a pointer to those demanding withdrawal of the Army and handing the internal security to the local police.

''Some people are demanding withdrawal of the Army and handing over the internal security of the state to the local police...The militants then started killing the local police apart from the civilians. Now they have started killing those offering Namaz (prayers),'' Mr Azad told journalists after inaugurating an industrial exhibition at the Kashmir Haat here this evening.

The time has come when the people should come on the streets to launch a war and raise their voice against the militants, he said, adding the people should hand over the militants to the Army and police in a similar way they had done in 1965.

The Chief Minister said the government would improve the law and order situation in the state only when the people would lend a helping hand in this regard.

''Such attacks will badly affect the tourist flow to Kashmir and further add to the already growing unemployment problem in the state,'' the Chief Minister added.

The PDP, a ruling coalition partner of the Congress, has been repeatedly demanding withdrawal of the Army and handing over the internal security of the state to the local police.

''We want the local police to take charge whereas the Army should be confined to defending the country. We cannot win the people otherwise,'' Mr Sayeed had said recently.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti too has, at various forums, demanded empowering the local police in dealing with the militancy.

''Such a step would be an appropriate response to the changing ground situation. Unfortunately a deliberate attempt is being made by various quarters to create confusion over the PDP's demand for measured reduction of troops. While some are equating it with the demand for demilitarisation from the borders, others are raising the bogey of individual security concerns,'' she had said at a recent public meeting here.

Ms Mufti said the PDP has made it clear time and again that the party's demand is only for giving more responsibility to the local police as was done in Punjab.

Regarding the individual security concerns, she said the problem of individual security of politicians was as grave in Jammu and Kashmir as in New Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh or even Washington.

''Does that mean all these states should be handed over to the Army?'' the PDP Chief questioned.

UNI AG PK RAI2003