Nothing but rigmarole: Tarigami says of Centre's announcement

Srinagar, Mar 31 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami today termed as ''nothing more than a rigmarole'' the Centre's decision to set up a three-fold mechanism to deal with the PDP's demands for troop withdrawal and repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Jammu and Kashmir.

''The central government seems, once again, to have skirted the real issue in Kashmir, which is evident from its response to the demand for reduction of forces in the state,'' Mr Tarigami said in his reaction to the Centre's decision.

In a statement here, the state CPI(M) Secretary said the declaration seemed as nothing ''more than a rigmarole'' as it was hard to understand how the members of these committees, serving on various positions and already aware of the security position in the state, could contribute, by merely figuring in these expert panels.

Secondly, he said the committees were called upon to merely determine the need to relocate and reconfigure the armed forces and not to consider the need to propose any cut in their size.

Thirdly, the panel was enjoined to ensure that cardinal aspects of the security were not compromised in any manner, which leave no room for any initiatives by the committee members and rule out any appropriate people-friendly change in the existing positions.

Regarding the review of the special powers conferred upon the armed forces in the state, Mr Tarigami said such a review has to be in tune with the legal requirements for a periodic review, which means the continuation of the existing practices.

''It is beyond comprehension as to what is the rationale behind constitution of a committee, if any routine procedure is to be followed,'' he added.

The CPI(M) leader said it seemed that the constitution of the committees has been announced with the sole aim of saving the political faces. ''The CPI(M) understands that this would only strengthen the long-held public impression in Jammu and Kashmir that the Centre is interested in only taking cosmetic steps and no meaningful measures which could address the genuine aspirations of the people,'' he added.

Mr Tarigami reiterated his demand for gradual reduction of disproportionately excessive number of security forces in the state.

He also called for identifying appropriate areas in the state as ''peace zones'' from where the armed forces could be withdrawn and the security handed over to the local police.

UNI