Troop cut, AFSPA revocation key to Kashmir resolution: Mufti

Qazigund, Anantnag, May 16 (UNI) Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said reduction of troops and revocation of the Armed Forces (Special) Powers Act (AFSPA) were the key components of the Kashmir resolution process and any effort to delay the move would only complicate the matters.

''To build the confidence and restore the esteem of the people of the state, these measures have to be initiated...and...sooner the better,'' he told a public meeting here.

Mr Sayeed said the PDP would never compromise on its principled stand that the democratic and civil society institutions have be fully empowered to lay the strong foundations for the peaceful and dignified resolution of the Kashmir issue.

The former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said for empowerment of the people and the civil society institutions in the state, withdrawal of troops and revocation of AFSPA were obligatory requirements and could not be avoided any more.

''I am looking forward to the accomplishment of the commitments made at the highest level in the central government in this regard,'' he added.

The PDP leader said his party ''respects and trusts'' the word and commitment of the UPA leadership as it wanted to ensure maximum relief to the people of the state with sincerity of purpose.

''I spoke to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on telephone recently and reminded him of his commitment on the issues of troop reduction and revocation of AFSPA,'' he said.

During his earlier discussions also, Mr Sayeed said the UPA leadership had assured him to workout a time-frame to initiate the troop reduction process and review AFSPA and provide the democratic institutions a level-playing field in the state.

''The two high-power committees constituted for the purpose must initiate the troop reduction process now as the ground situation demands so,'' he added.

The former Union Home Minister said the process of moving out troops from the orchards and the civilian and institutional properties, started earlier, also has to be accomplished at a greater pace so that the people feel the change on the ground.

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