Mehbooba meets PM; discusses troop reduction, AFSPA repeal

New Delhi, Mar 1 (UNI) Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti today called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here today and discussed troop reduction and repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Jammu and Kashmir among other issues.

Vacation of agricultural and orchid land and private and government buildings by the security forces in the state was also raised at the meeting.

Ms Mufti urged Dr Singh to consider her party's demands as ''implementation of such measures is the only way to strengthen the emerging public faith in the State's political and democratic institutions''.

Over the past two days, Ms Mufti has held meetings with UPA chairperson and Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee to put across her party's viewpoint on these issues.

The PDP, the ruling coalition partner in Jammu and Kashmir, has for long been demanding troop reduction and repeal of AFSPA in the state.

Some sections of the media also reported that the PDP will pull out of the government due to ''non compliance'' of their demands, but the party leadership denied the reports as ''untrue and unfounded''.

Ms Mufti emphasised that ''systematic'' and ''time-bound'' reduction of troops and repeal of AFSPA would be the most appropriate response to the ''fast changing ground situation'' in the State.

''The reconciliatory process initiated by the Coalition Government in the State, with the active support of the Centre, has to a large extent alleviated public alienation and enhanced people's sense of freedom and their faith in the democratic set-up,'' she said.

''There is, however, a compelling need to reinforce the political initiatives with adequate administrative measures to completely transform the scenario,'' she added.

Asserting that for sustaining peace involvement of people was required, the PDP President said the leadership of the country must trust the people of Jammu and Kashmir and carry out the proposed measures for reduction of troops and repeal of AFSPA at the earliest.

''The cost of not doing so, I am afraid, would be much higher for the State and the nation,'' she claimed.

Reiterating that the ground situation in Jammu and Kashmir called for such confidence building measures, she said the country's leadership must respond appropriately to the ''public mood to bring a turn-around in the situation''.

''The PDP recognizes the role played by the armed forces for the security of the state during difficult times, but this can't be a permanent arrangement as it is unfair for the security forces as well as the people,'' she added.

UNI