Mehbooba hails Farooq's statement on troop reduction in J

Srinagar, Nov 29 (UNI) Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti today welcomed former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah's demand for reduction of troops and revocation of ''draconian laws'' from the strife-torn state, saying it vindicated her party's stand on the issues.

''It is a welcome departure from his bomb Pakistan campaign. I hope he (Dr Abdullah) will now stand by it,'' Ms Mufti told a public gathering at Thajiwara in Anantnag district of south Kashmir.

She said the PDP would always welcome any positive contribution by the NC toward resolving the Kashmir issue as the problem has been the creation of that party.

Dr Abdullah's statement demanding revocation of the Armed Forces (Special) Powers Act and reduction of troops in Jammu and Kashmir vindicated the PDP's stand on the issue, Ms Mufti added.

''I am glad to learn that the PDP's demand for reduction of troops is now being echoed by none other than Dr Abdullah whose party did not even hesitate from labelling us 'anti-national' for initially raising such a 'blasphemous' demand,'' she said.

Ms Mufti said NC President Omar Abdullah, in a public meeting at Handwara recently, had opposed the troop reduction.

He had also asked the politicians, in a sarcastic manner, to tread out without security before raising the demand, she added.

''I wonder whom the NC leaders are trying to befool by shifting stands,'' the PDP president said. She asked the NC to make its policy clear instead of resorting to the hallmark of emotional and exploitative politics, which in the prevailing scenario, was an outdated political gimmickry.

Ms Mufti said her party's realistic policy and the line of action for the peaceful and dignified resolution of the Kashmir issue was gaining strength, day by day, both within and outside the state.

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