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| Mufti Sayeed is most credible leader in J&K today: Ansari | | People's empowerment fundamental element of peace process: Sayeed | | Kokernag, April 26
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Patron, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said while the Central Government has initiated action on the party's demand for reduction of troops and vacation of orchards and civilian properties by the forces, the process has to expand and gather momentum on the ground as such measures are now certainly unavoidable. "The fundamental input for transforming the State's future scenario is that the people must get the relief and associate with the peace process," he said.
Addressing a mammoth public meeting here today, Sayeed cautioned against any complacency in handling the situation at the decisive phase of the State's history saying the circumstances insist on spirited and futuristic initiatives for the ultimate settlement of the problem. "Any move to hold back the process at this crucial juncture could have terrible consequences for the State and the region," he maintained and asked India and Pakistan to move ahead with determination and political courage to resolve the Kashmir issue once for all, as the cost of not doing so would be enormous for both the countries.
Referring to the Prime Minister's statement at the Roundtable Conference, in which Dr Singh related the reduction of troops to the ground situation, Sayeed emphasized that the ground reality in Kashmir today demands such measures. "The initiative has to be taken now, to gradually replace the military engagement by political engagement and give the people's institutions their rightful place," he said and made it clear that those vehemently opposing withdrawal of troops, for obvious reasons, are doing no good, either to the country or to the people of the State. "If we wait for the last gun to fall silent, it would be only day-dreaming," he said.
"I am sure the right-thinking people in the country have realized the inevitability and urgency of resolving the problems and challenges confronting the State, through political and democratic means," he said and emphasized that the most appropriate step in that direction is entrusting greater responsibility to the political and civil society institutions of the State and fully empowering them to enhance their ownership in bringing about normalcy in their lives.
People of Jammu & Kashmir, Sayeed said are the chief custodians of the State's interests and they have to be treated with dignity and honor to reverse the resurgent wave of alienation, slowly making fresh inroads into the public domain. He said instead of resorting to hawkish rhetoric to score political points and spoil the gains of the reconciliation process, the political leadership of the State must articulate the people's aspirations in a responsive and responsible manner. "As has been the underlying concept of PDP's "healing touch" philosophy and reiterated often by the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, the common people should not be subjected to any kind of humiliation and harassment by the security forces while dealing with the situation," he said and added that in the name of frisking such unsavory practices, unfortunately, are still in vogue in the countryside and have been recently resumed even in the Srinagar city and other major towns of the State, putting the people to lot of inconvenience and disgrace.
Commenting on the recently concluded Roundtable Conference at New Delhi, Sayeed said the event could have been made more purposeful and meaningful, if some substantial confidence building measures, addressing the genuine concerns and grievances of the people, were proclaimed at the forum. "At least the recommendations of the four Working Groups on improving the economic and social conditions of the State and its people, strengthening the human rights and rehabilitating the sufferers of violence should have been taken up for immediate implementation," he said and stressed the urgency for initiating the implementation process, at the earliest to make the whole exercise fruitful.
Sayeed said the violence, unfortunately, not only devoured thousands of precious human lives, but has also left the State economy in ruins. "Although we can't give life to the people consumed by the tragic bloodshed, at least we can bring some stability in the lives of those families who have underwent the trauma," he said and added that besides working for the welfare of the victims of violence, we have to overcome the State's infrastructural deficit to catch up with the rest of the country in the economic development. He said inter and intra-state connectivity should be given priority as communication is the nerve-center of development. He called for speeding up work on Udhampur-Qazigund railway project, Mughal Road, Kishtwar-Simthan-Anantnag road, Anantnag-Warwan-Marwah road and Zojilla tunnel. He said the completion of these projects would open up a new world of opportunity for the people, especially in the remote and economically deprived areas of the State.
Addressing the meeting senior PDP leader, Moulvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari said the PDP has emerged as a strong political force in the State with a credible leadership. He said given his unwavering stand on the vital issues concerning the State and the people, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has today emerged as the most credible leader with a vision for addressing the political and economic problems of the State. He said phenomenal progress made on the Kashmir resolution front during the past five years is unparalleled in the history of the sub-continent and it has been made possible only because of the crucial role played by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and PDP.
Speaking on the occasion, PDP General Secretary, Nizam-ud-Din Bhat said genuine and legitimate politics should now replace the sponsored and manipulative politics in the State. He said the people feel suffocated as some individuals have been foisted on them through illegitimate means. He said such practices are detrimental for a true democratic culture and need to be discouraged. He said the real representatives of the people must be allowed to strengthen the democratic institutions in the State.
Senior PDP leaders Mohammad Sartaj Madni, Basharat Bukhari, Nizam-ud-Din Khatana and Abdul Salam Reshi also addressed the meeting.
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