PDP draws parallel between response to Egypt, Kashmir

Srinagar, Feb 12 (PTI) Opposition PDP today drew aparallel between the response to Egypt protest and 2010 summerunrest in Kashmir, saying while people in the Arab country didnot face any charges from authorities there, the leadershiphere dubbed agitationists as "drug addicts and LeT agents".

"We congratulate the people of Egypt for their victory.

The role of Army there is laudable as it seemed that they wereprotecting their people," PDP president Mehbooba Mufti toldreporters here.

Drawing parallels, Mehbooba said while the people in theArab country did not face any charges, the leadership in Jammuand Kashmir has been dubbing the protestors here as "drugaddicts and Lashker-e-Toiba agents".

She said people of the state were the first to respond tothe "global abhorrence of violence" following the 9/11 attackson the United States but the national leadership did notrespond to the "transition".

"People of Kashmir participated in 2002 elections but notonly the Central government, the national leadership alsofailed to respond to the change from violence to peacefulmovement," she said.

She said while economic measures were needed to addressthe Kashmir problem, it has to be accompanied by politicalmeasures as "there are graveyards in every locality, which area reminder of the issue." PTI MIJ