Time for troops reduction, revocation of AFSPA in J&K: Sayeed

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Srinagar, Aug 17 (UNI) Emphasising that the process of withdrawing troops and revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Jammu and Kashmir must happen now, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today said the Centre must also implement the state specific Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) without waiting for political situation in Pakistan to calm down.

The Jammu and Kashmir specific CBMs would consolidate the people's overwhelming desire for peace and stability, PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said while addressing a public meeting here.

''I don't see any logic behind delaying the implementation of the recommendations by the Work Groups (WGs) which are already finalised already,'' he said adding that if implemented, these would have a tremendous positive impact on the state's fast changing scenario.

However, delaying the implementation would only take the sheen out of the whole exercise and raise question mark over the entire process, he said.

Emphasising that the process of withdrawing the troops and revocation of the AFSPA must start now, Mr Sayeed said while the high level committees, constituted for the purpose, have almost accomplished their task, the Centre must act now.

He said the latest report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee by strongly advocating withdrawal of troops from the internal security duties, has vindicated his party's stand.

This, he said, is not for the first time that such a report has come but in the past also several committees had called for withdrawal of troops from the internal security duties and handing over the responsibility to the local police.

He said his party would now be expecting some positive movement in this direction as it was the need of the hour.

Mr Sayeed also called for space for political reconciliation in and around Jammu and Kashmir to give a final push to the peace process.

''Emphasis must now be laid on building political, economic and social super structure to enable the people of the state to share the fruits of the peace process,'' he said.

Mr Sayeed said some ''much-needed political and economic interventions'', at this crucial juncture, would not only create new constituencies for peace, but strengthen the existing ones.

He said the people of Jammu and Kashmir have borne the direct brunt of violence and animosity in the region and they have had to pay with a colossal human and material cost for the pestering conflict.

''Unfortunately the opportunity costs of the conflict are imposed on the people of Jammu and Kashmir, not only by the actions of Islamabad and New Delhi but also, to an extent, by their inaction'', he said and added that recurrent hesitance in Islamabad and New Delhi to pursue innovative ideas on Kashmir with political courage was depriving the people of the unlimited opportunities for economic progress.

UNI

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