Troop cut: PDP threaten to pullout from JK govt

Srinagar, June 20: The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a key ruling coalition partner in Jammu and Kashmir, has threatened to withdraw from the Congress-led alliance if its demand for troop reduction was not accepted.

Addressing a public meeting in Shopian, senior PDP leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig said his party would leave the Congress-led coalition if its troop cut demand was not accepted.

Defending his party's demand, he said as the Centre has been stating that only 1500 militants were active in Jammu and Kashmir, there was no need to keep seven lakh troops stationed in the state.

However, he ruled out any threat to the ruling coalition in the wake of withdrawal of support by the Panthers Party.

Mr Baig said development was fine, but priority should be given to saving the lives of youth, and providing dignity and honour to women. ''For the people of Jammu and Kashmir, dignity and honour matters more than progress and development,'' he added.

Mr Baig said India and Pakistan were spending substantial portion of their budgets on defence and the sole reason for this was the contentious Kashmir issue.

''What sin have we committed? Why are you killing our youth? What will you get by killing the people of Kashmir?'' the former Deputy Chief Minister asked both India and Pakistan in an emotional tone.

He said hundred million youth would be absorbed in the police when its takes over the internal security of the state.

''We won't need soldiers in cities, towns and villages. Let them guard the borders,'' Mr Baig said.

UNI

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