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| Cell phone ban tarnishes our image: Mufti | | | Early Times Report
Srinagar Nov 5- Peoples Democratic Party patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has said the decisions like ban on mobile phone facility have not only serious socio economic implications but amount to an assault on the dignity and self respect of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. ‘The arbitrary decision should be reversed immediately as it tarnishes our image and projects the entire people of the state as unworthy of trust and some kind of a security threat which only strengthens the stereotypes about them’, he added.
Addressing a large public meeting at Handwara in Kupwara district today Mufti said shutting off pre- paid mobile facility to the state reflects a mindset that his party is struggling to change. "No wonder our youth, whether players, students or traders become victims of suspicion and highhandedness in different parts of the country when the government itself expresses doubts about our credentials as a people", he said.
Mufti said such profiling of Kashmiris has had disastrous consequences in the past as it resulted in the huge trust deficit between us and rest of the country. He said while the direct impact of the decision in terms of loss of employment opportunities was considerable, it was the psychological and political aspect of it which could claim a heavier toll. He said banning 38 lakh connections to prevent misuse by a possible few hundred people was an index of the lack of trust by the establishment in the citizens of the state as a whole and its belief that every thing is fair in Kashmir. "This" he said "is no way to win the battle of minds".
The PDP patron said decision to ban mobile facility is reflection of the same mindset that had resisted its extension to the state in the first place and contributed to the sense of siege prevailing here for decades. He recalled how the opponents of the mobile service had argued with him as chief minister that the facility could be used to detonate bombs on remote control, but had been proved wrong ultimately.
Welcoming the new initiative to resolve Kashmir through dialogue Mufti said government of India had to provide a better account of its intentions and instruments to make the process worthwhile as it appeared that different people at responsible positions were speaking different languages. He said the recent statements from Armed forces were at variance with the idiom and import of what the political leadership, prime minister downwards, had conveyed to the people of the state. Misleading interpretations and far fetched apprehensions, Mufti said can in no way dilute the urgency of demilitarization of civilian areas and revocation of AFSPA if a new chapter of trust has to be opened in the relationship between the state and the union.
Mufti said India was a vibrant democracy but its credibility was at stake in Kashmir. Unless the Kashmir issue is resolved to the satisfaction of its people and the festering sore over it healed the great Indian democratic project will remain incomplete and will lack substance, he said while underlining the need for reopening dialogue with Pakistan as well.
Addressing the gathering Party president Mehbooba Mufti said the government had been unable to gauge the real extent of unemployment in the state. She said the unemployment among youth was the most serious problem but the government had held it hostage to its political interests. "What is the relevance of delaying the so called package up to December 5" she asked and said it was done only to shore up the fast eroding image of National Conference.
Senior leaders Tariq Hameed Qarra, Ghulam Mohiuddin Sofi and district president Kupwara advocate Abdul Haq Khan also addressed the meeting.
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