PDP asks Centre to revoke ASFPA, halt ''repressive'' measures

Jammu, Feb 19 (PTI) PDP today asked the uniongovernment to reduce the number of central forces fromcivilian areas in Jammu and Kashmir, revoke ASFPA andimmediately stop other "repressive" measures to restore trustamong locals in the Indian administration.

Suggesting ways to amicable and permanent solution toKashmir issue, PDP here in its one-day working committeemeeting, chaired by the party chief Mehbooba Mufti, passed aresolution demanding "full restoration" of political activityand immediate release of political activists in the state.

People''s Democratic Party also slammed the Centre forits "inability" to handle the Kashmir issue. "It feels thatinstead of reaching out to the distressed people andinitiating substantial measures to find a lasting solution tothe problem the government focus has shifted to silencingdissent through strong arm methods and repression," memorandumsaid.

The PDP also expressed its "strong disapproval ofwanton resort to arrests, crackdowns, indiscriminate use ofPublic Security Act and subversion of judicial process."

The main opposition party in Jammu and Kashmir said itbelieves that "battle of ideas must be fought politically withrespect to people''s dignity and rights."

The party said work on none of the announcement madeby the union government to calm the last year''s summer unresthas been initiated and demanded immediate withdrawal tocentral security forces from civilian areas.