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| Coalition for creating ‘counter-stone pelting force’: Mehbooba | | | ARTEEV SHARMA
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Feb 23: Enraged over the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s tirade against the opposition for “exploiting” situation in Kashmir Valley, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today shot back at the Government, saying its “oppressive” and “suppressive” tactics have backfired for it and the situation demands an immediate introspection.
Flanked by other legislators of the party, Mehbooba Mufti, president PDP said, “There is total chaos and anarchy in the State as the ruling coalition has lost its creditability and instead of going deep down it has resorted to suppressive tactics.”
She also blamed that the State Government is trying to create a “counter-stone pelting force” to suppress the voice of angry youth coming out on streets due to “alienation”.
The PDP president said, “There was a counter-insurgency force but the ruling coalition has been trying to create a counter stone pelting force which may be, there are allegations they have used yesterday to bring home some point and put you know just to make their allegations sound very true and I think that’s very unfortunate. We don’t want anymore Mumma kana and Papa Kistawari (counter insurgency militants).”
“If you go through the statement of DIG Police Baramulla, about two dozens Sumo borne stone-pelters stopped the bus, dragged the passengers and killed an infant. Where was Police? How the stone pelters were allowed freely? It is for first time I have heard that stone pelters traveling in Sumo escaped security check ups and stopped bus which led to killing of an 11-day-old baby, Irfan. Who is responsible? Where is law, where is law and order in the state?”
“There is total anarchy and they don’t have control over anything. The only thing they can do is blame the opposition. I mean there is total mis-governance,” Mehbooba mocked and said, “Yesterday’s incident may be the beginning of creation of such counter-stone pelting force.”
She further said, “As the situation is deteriorating day by day, there is need for holistic view of the situation. Unless and until they don’t adopt pro-people policy and apply some kind of balm on psyche of protesting youth the situation continue to remain volatile.”
Mehbooba and other legislators, who were addressing the media after staging walkout and boycott the House proceedings, described boiling down of Kashmir imbroglio to stone pelting as “unfortunate” and “deliberate attempt” and said, ““We must understand the cause beneath the act of stone pelting being practiced in Kashmir by youth. It is not a new phenomenon in Kashmir but the way situation is deteriorating it calls for holistic view and introspection. Besides providing good governance, it is the duty of the government to create conducive and reconciliatory atmosphere in the State.”
“By invoking Public Safety Act (PSA) on teenagers and taking harsh measures against protesting youth the incumbent government is encouraging alienation. We don’t believe that such suppressive tactics would yield something fruitful. There is a need for a balance of good governance and political process which is missing in the ruling government,” she maintained.
Mehbooba asserted that prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir is a matter of concern for PDP. “Our party though being labeled as anti-national and pro-militants, much has been invested by us in the situation here to strengthen the process of reconciliation and healing touch nurtured for the misguided ones.”
“The youth of the Valley had high expectations from the third generation of Abdullah family. They were expecting that young generation of Abdullah’s family would identify the solutions of their unrest and communicate with them which did not happen. People have lost their faith in democratic set up,” she said.
Nizam-ud-Bhat, senior legislator of the party, said, “Stone pelting is an expression of disappointment and complete unrest. Yesterday’s incident of killing of 11-day-long infant seems to be a handiwork of counter-stone pelting force.”
“As the Foreign Secretary level talks between India and Pakistan are beginning, such manifestation of our state would not compliment to the talks which would include issues related to Kashmir, trade and allied aspects,” she said.
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