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| Mehbooba meets PM on troop reduction, AFSPA revocation | | |
New Delhi , March 01
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President and Member Parliament, Mehbooba Mufti called on the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh here today to discuss the issues of troop reduction, revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and vacation of agricultural and orchard land and private and government buildings by the security forces in Jammu & Kashmir.
Reiterating her party's demands, Mehbooba urged the Prime Minister to consider the same on merits as, according to her, implementation of such measures is the only way to strengthen the emerging public faith in the State's political and democratic institutions. She emphasized that systematic and time-bound reduction of troops and revocation of AFSPA would be the most appropriate and fitting response to the fast changing ground situation in the State.
Mehbooba said the reconciliatory process initiated by the Coalition Government in the State, with the active support of the Central Government, has to a large extent alleviated public alienation and enhanced people's sense of freedom and their faith in democratic means.
"There is, however, a compelling need to reinforce the political initiatives with adequate administrative measures to completely transform the scenario," she said and added that for sustaining peace in the State through public involvement, the country and its leadership must trust the people of Jammu & Kashmir and carry out the proposed measures for reduction of troops and revocation of AFSPA at the earliest. "The cost of not doing so, I am afraid, would be much higher for the State and the nation," she pointed out.
The PDP President made it clear that the ground situation in Jammu & Kashmir calls for such confidence building measures earnestly and the country's leadership must grab the opportunity and respond appropriately to the public mood to bring a turn-around in the situation. She said her party recognizes the role played by the armed forces for the security of the State during difficult times, but this can't be an endless arrangement as it is unfair for the security forces as well as the people of the State.
During the last two days, Mehbooba has held similar meetings with Congress Chief, Sonia Gandhi and External Affairs Minister, Parnab Mukherhee to put across her party's viewpoint on troop reduction and revocation of AFSPA. |
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