Extremist elements want to keep fire burning in Kashmir; PDP

Srinagar, Sep 16 (UNI) The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today alleged that certain ''extremist elements'' in Jammu want to keep the fire burning among the masses in the Kashmir valley.

In a statement, PDP General Secretary Nizam Uddin Bhat said the latest effort of Jammu based Pharmaceutical Association's asking the Pharma companies to stop direct supplies to Kashmiri dealers was another extension of the nefarious design.

He said the unfortunate part of the design was that such elements have been getting all kinds of patronage and encouragement from right wing national leaders, who openly backed the recent anti Kashmiri agitation of Jammu Sangharsh Samiti.

Mr Bhat said the statement of BJP national leader L K Advani seeking restoration of POTA, though prompted by blasts in Delhi, was yet linked with the a bigger game plan of brow beating and threatening Kashmiris so that their genuine voice was muzzled.

He expressed his apprehension about the safety and the security of the Kashmiri students, labourers and traders, who in such a vitiated atmosphere, were bound to face insecurity outside Kashmir.

Mr Bhat said the union government has so far failed to scuttle extremist moves aimed at harassing Kashmiris who live in perpetual fear in the face of unending anti-Kashmiri invectives and utterances perpetrated by the unbridled extremist elements.

The PDP general secretary expressed concern and appealed to liberal society in the country to rise to the occasion and come to the rescue of Kashmiri community.

Urging union government also to shun away the policy of surrender before the extremist forces, Mr Bhat said Prime Minister Monmahan Singh should himself ensure that the Kashmiris outside did not come to any harm.

He also hoped that the governor's administration in the state will take a strong note of threats issued by Jammu based pharmaceutical association, which have communal overtones and if allowed impunity, could further deteriorate the already fragile situation.

UNI AS GL UCS1708