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| Slowdown of intra-state connectivity projects a matter of concern: Mehboba | | |
Kishtwar, April 18
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President, Ms Mehbooba Mufti has said the gradual withdrawal of armed forces from the State is a key component of the reconciliation and resolution process and the thinning of troops must start, sooner the better. "The Government of India must grab the opportunity and relax the security situation in the State as the continued use of army and security forces is unfair to them as well as the people of the State," she said.
Addressing an impressive public meeting here today, Ms Mufti, while reiterating her party's demand for reduction of troops, revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and vacation of civilian and institutional properties by the security forces, said that PDP respects and trusts the commitment and sincerity of the UPA leadership, especially Mrs Sonia Gandhi and the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh in this regard. "A mechanism has been devised for the purpose and we are looking forward for early positive movement in this direction," she said and made it clear that as has been done in case of all other major policy issues concerning the people, PDP would take this issue also to its logical conclusion, at whatever cost.
Instead of falling into the trap of the hawkish elements, Ms Mufti emphasized that our effort should be to win the hearts and minds of the people and that could be done only by taking some bold measures giving general relief to the people. "I think such measures are worth taking in the larger interest of peace and stability," she said and added that the time has come when the instruments of the State's political executive and administration should have greater role in the matters of governance and security.
Referring to the growing need for speeding up infrastructural and economic development of Jammu & Kashmir, Ms Mufti, however, expressed dismay over the noticeable slowdown in the momentum of the development process, especially on the intra-State road connectivity projects, initiated in 2002. "We fail to understand why there has been a conspicuous deceleration in the execution of important projects like Udhampur-Baramulla railway line, North-South corridor, Mughal Road, Kishtwar-Simthan-Anantnag road and some major State-owned power projects," she said and cautioned that the Union and the State Government must ensure that these projects do not fall prey to the machinations of the saboteurs with vested interest.
Calling for disbanding of the Village Defence Committees (VDCs), Ms Mufti said instead of relying on VDCs, the Government must launch a massive recruitment drive in the police at the block-level to develop an organized force for taking on the future responsibilities of the internal security. She said the creation of VDCs has resulted in a dangerous divide among various communities and such a practice has to be done away with immediately.
Senior PDP leaders, Ghulam Hassan Mir, Tariq Hameed Karra, Dhaman Bhasin and Sayeed Asghar Ali also addressed the meeting.
Kishtwar, April 18 - Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President, Ms Mehbooba Mufti has said the gradual withdrawal of armed forces from the State is a key component of the reconciliation and resolution process and the thinning of troops must start, sooner the better. "The Government of India must grab the opportunity and relax the security situation in the State as the continued use of army and security forces is unfair to them as well as the people of the State," she said.
Addressing an impressive public meeting here today, Ms Mufti, while reiterating her party's demand for reduction of troops, revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and vacation of civilian and institutional properties by the security forces, said that PDP respects and trusts the commitment and sincerity of the UPA leadership, especially Mrs Sonia Gandhi and the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh in this regard. "A mechanism has been devised for the purpose and we are looking forward for early positive movement in this direction," she said and made it clear that as has been done in case of all other major policy issues concerning the people, PDP would take this issue also to its logical conclusion, at whatever cost.
Instead of falling into the trap of the hawkish elements, Ms Mufti emphasized that our effort should be to win the hearts and minds of the people and that could be done only by taking some bold measures giving general relief to the people. "I think such measures are worth taking in the larger interest of peace and stability," she said and added that the time has come when the instruments of the State's political executive and administration should have greater role in the matters of governance and security.
Referring to the growing need for speeding up infrastructural and economic development of Jammu & Kashmir, Ms Mufti, however, expressed dismay over the noticeable slowdown in the momentum of the development process, especially on the intra-State road connectivity projects, initiated in 2002. "We fail to understand why there has been a conspicuous deceleration in the execution of important projects like Udhampur-Baramulla railway line, North-South corridor, Mughal Road, Kishtwar-Simthan-Anantnag road and some major State-owned power projects," she said and cautioned that the Union and the State Government must ensure that these projects do not fall prey to the machinations of the saboteurs with vested interest.
Calling for disbanding of the Village Defence Committees (VDCs), Ms Mufti said instead of relying on VDCs, the Government must launch a massive recruitment drive in the police at the block-level to develop an organized force for taking on the future responsibilities of the internal security. She said the creation of VDCs has resulted in a dangerous divide among various communities and such a practice has to be done away with immediately.
Senior PDP leaders, Ghulam Hassan Mir, Tariq Hameed Karra, Dhaman Bhasin and Sayeed Asghar Ali also addressed the meeting.
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