Antony's remarks dilute PM's initiative on Kashmir: Mufti

Srinagar, Jun 27 (UNI) Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said Defence Minister A K Antony's continued ''adverse'' remarks on troop reduction in the troubled state not only diluted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's initiative, but also undermined the state's political and the constitutional authority.

Addressing a gathering at Charar-e-Sharief in Badgam district, he said the Defence Minister's ''obstinate remarks'' tend to pre-empt the work of the two committees constituted by the Prime Minister for looking into his party's demand for troop reduction and revocation of the Armed Forces (Special) Powers Act (AFSPA) in the state.

''It is very unfortunate that the Defence Minister is repeatedly jumping the gun even before receiving the formal inputs from the Defence Secretary, who is heading the two committees,'' he said.

Expressing resentment over the ''incongruous'' way the issue of troop cut and AFSPA revocation was being handled, the PDP patron said ironically the Prime Minister's clear-cut declaration that the two committees would look into the issue, was followed up by an orchestrated series of comments by some quarters in New Delhi and here in an apparent attempt to stall the whole process.

''If the matter was left to the experts, the final opinion should also have come only after the two committees had submitted their report,'' Mr Sayeed added.

He said the barrage of anti-troop cut statements that followed the constitution of the committees strongly indicated a premeditated campaign to disrupt the initiative without going into its merits.

Cautioning against disruptive politicking over troop cut issue, the former Chief Minister said the need of the hour at this crucial juncture was a spirited political wisdom and not hawkish rhetoric.

''Through such statements, an impression is gathering ground that democratic institutions in the state, for their survival, have to enduringly seek shelter under the shadow of gun. It is a dangerous trend and could certainly reverse the rejuvenating public faith in the democratic institutions and processes,'' he added.

Kashmir, Mr Sayeed said has come a long way since the early days of militancy when the armed forces had to take up internal security duties under compelling circumstances.

''The discernible change in the situation owes in a good measure to the efforts of the Army, security forces and police, but the ultimate credit must go to the people who despite inherent cynicism and bitter past experiences once again displayed their faith in the democratic set up of the country,'' he added.

The PDP leader said this faith could be reinforced only by strengthening further the democratic institutions and not by guns.

''The AFSPA is here for almost two decades now, I wonder how long we will have to wait to get rid of it?'' he asked.

UNI