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| Slow troops withdrawal from Kashmir in progress: Azad | | |
Kulgam Mar 29
Downplaying a strident People's Democratic Party demand for troops withdrawal from Jammu and Kashmir, State Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has said that the process is already underway, but slowly.
The process started two years back, Azad said adding that a steady and calculated withdrawal was being carried out by his government.
"Over the past two years, security forces have withdrawn from 24 hotels, nine gardens and other buildings and public places in Kashmir. So, recent talks about withdrawal of security forces, we started it two years back," Azad said at a rally in Kulgam, 85-kilometres from here.
Azad called upon the opposition National Conference and leaders of the separatist All Parties Hurriyat (Freedom) Conference to participate in the ongoing peace talks between India and Pakistan.
"I appeal to the National Conference and Hurriyat leaders come out and participate in the ongoing peace talks. Talks are the only way out of a deadlock, not guns," he said.
The People's Democratic Party (PDP), the coalition partner of Congress in Jammu and Kashmir has been demanding phased demilitarisation of the State and abolition of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, saying that the situation has improved.
The PDP has even reportedly threatened to withdraw its support to the State Government over the issue.
According to the Annual Report 2006-07 of the Defence Ministry, the current phase of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir has shown a "marked improvement" in terms of reduction as compared to previous years.
However, the report says that there are no signs of the terrorist infrastructure across the borders being dismantled, and there has been a "marginal" rise in infiltration since last year and a "sharp" rise in terrorist violence.
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