PDP to stage protests in every district headquarter in J-K

Srinagar, Jan 17 (PTI) Accusing the Omar Abdullah-ledgovernment of "thriving on status quo", Opposition PDP inJammu and Kashmir today said it would hold peaceful protestsin every district headquarter in the state to press for itsdemands, including a resolution to the Kashmir issue.

"We cannot expect a solution to Kashmir issue fromNational Conference as it thrives on status quo. Thegovernment has even failed on governance front," PDP presidentMehbooba Mufti told reporters here.

She said her party will stage peaceful protests atevery district headquarter of the state on Wednesday, pressingfor its demands, including a resolution to the Kashmir issue.

"Among our other demands are punishment to thosesecurity forces personnel involved in killing of 115 personsduring the summer unrest, release of all political detenues,withdrawal of troops from civilian areas and revocation ofarmed forces special powers act," she said.

Mehbooba said her party had chosen to remain silentover the past three months, hoping that concrete steps will betaken to reach out to the people and resolve the problem.

"We thought steps will be taken to implement the eightpoint package announced by the Centre but the situation on theground has worsened. The main point in the package was therelease of political detenues and students but while thosearrested continue to be in jails, more people are put behindbars every day."

Asked about the work of interlocutors who arrived onthe fourth visit to the state today, Mehbooba said providingrelief to the people was more important than the mechanismthat delivers it.

"We were hopeful that all-party delegation would havebriefed the central government about the ground situation inKashmir and steps would be taken accordingly to redress theproblem. However, there has been no change in the situationtill date," she said.

On hoisting of the tricolour at Lal Chowk on Republicday last year, Mehbooba said it was a fixed match between BJPand ruling National Conference as the former was issueless andthe latter trying to divert attention from real issues.

"It is a fixed match between BJP and NationalConference. They have been partners before and they arehelping out each other now," she alleged.

Asked if she was in favour of hoisting the nationalflag at clock tower in Lal Chowk on January 26, this year, thePDP president evaded a direct reply.

"The highest number of national flags are hoisted inJammu and Kashmir particularly in the Valley. Every securityforces camp and bunker has a tricolour hoisted," she said. PTIMIJ TA