Do not politicize demilitarisation issue, Azad to PDP and others

Anantnag, South Kashmir, July 12 (UNI) Expressing satisfaction over the improvement in the overall situation, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad warned that any wrong step at a time when the state was becoming peaceful would take the people back to 1990.

Cautioning against politicising the issue of demilitarisation, Mr Azad said it did not concern any particular political party but was directly linked with the overall security situation of the State.

''My government is trying to bring back the situation to the level of 1987-88,'' he said and called for the need to be more vigilant, especially in the wake of the recent developments in Pakistan.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a partner in the government headed by Mr Azad has been demanding demilitarisation in the state.

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has appointed a committee after PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed wrote a letter to him on the issue.

The main opposition National Conference (NC) and several separatist organisations also demanded troops withdrawal in the state. However, Congress and other Jammu based political parties, are opposing it.

Addressing a rally of the ruling Congress party here yesterday, Mr Azad said the issue of demilitarisation should not be made a topic of political debate.

He said although the incidents of violence and militancy were on the decline it was not wise to lower the guard.

Mr Azad said in order to protect the gains achieved in March on road to peace people and the leadership at large should be more cautious and act responsibly.

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