Built concensus, reduce troops and withdraw AFSPA in Kashmir, CPM

Srinagar, Mar 1 (UNI) The Communist Party of India (M) today appealed to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to build a consensus on the Kashmir issue, reduce presence of security forces from ''safe zones'' and withdraw the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Jammu and Kashmir.

Talking to reporters here this afternoon the CPI(M) State secretary Mohammad Yousuf Targami said all ''terror and counter terror camps'' have to be closed for restoration of peace in the sub- continent.

''At the same time we have to address the legitimate concerns of the people of the Jammu and Kashmir.'' he said.

He said there could be no readymade solution to the Kashmir issue and at the same time we cannot postpone it anymore.

He said government at the centre alone cannot move forward in its efforts to make any breakthrough on all the outstanding issues, including Kashmir, with Pakistan. ''We all have to contribute,'' he said.

The Prime Minister has to take the opposition as well other parties into confidence about the progress made on the peace process with Pakistan, said Mr Targami, the leader of the CPI(M) in the Legislative assembly.

He said Dr Singh should initiate a debate in the Parliament so that leaders from different parties could express their views and a consensus is built on all important issues.

Mr Targami said the new developments in the India and Pakistan with regard to improved relations have generated a hope in Kashmir.

People have great expectations that things will improve in the near future.

He said all the mainstream and non-mainstream parties have to play a role to built a consensus to restore peace in the Valley where people are facing hardship for the past 17 years.

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