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| PM's communiqué to PDP Patron | | Revocation of AFSPA, troop cut on cards: Mufti | |
Srinagar, July 21 – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Patron, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said he is expecting positive action on his party's demand for reduction of troops and review of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) as the situation now demands such confidence building measures to impact the fast-changing ground situation. "I am optimistic of some tangible movement forward on these crucial issues in the coming days," he said.
Addressing a meeting of PDP functionaries from district Srinagar here this morning, Sayeed said in response to his recent communication to the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, restating the urgency and necessity for reduction of troops and revocation of AFSPA, he received a letter from Dr Singh last evening wherein the Prime Minister has reiterated his commitment to the understanding arrived at and the mechanism devised for the purpose in March this year. He informed the meeting the Prime Minister has stated that vigorous efforts are being made to implement the decisions taken in March and the Expert Panel constituted for the purpose has already visited various parts of the State as a part of this exercise. "The final recommendations of the committee are expected soon," he said.
Welcoming the Prime Minister's assertion, in his latest letter, that the orchards, institutional buildings and private properties, being used by the security forces would be handed-over to their rightful owners with adequate compensation, Sayeed said that with the declining levels of violence such steps have now become imperative to build the confidence of the people. "Sharing my anguish over the recent incidents of alleged force's high-handedness, the Prime Minister has made it clear that no one can condone such barbarous acts and he (Dr Singh) has personally discussed the matter with both the Defence and the Home Minister giving clear directions to prevent recurrence of such incidents," he said.
Sayeed said in the fast-changing ground situation, measures like reduction of troops and revocation of AFSPA, are now unavoidable to rebuild and consolidate the people's growing participation and faith in the political and democratic institutions of the State. "This is the only way to a workable and lasting peace," he said and added that the people and the civil society must now have a greater say in the affairs of the State and they should get the full room to assert themselves. He said reinforcing his commitment to the peace process, the Prime Minister in his communication has made it clear that the Government should take full advantage of the positive situation and consolidate the peace process.
Senior party leaders Ghulam Hassan Mir, Qazi Muhammad Afzal, Nizamuddin Bhat and Pirzada Mansoor Hussain were also present in the meeting.
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