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| PDP, NC MLAs speak in one tone, Govt seeks opposition cooperation | | Resolutions on troops withdrawal, AFSPA | |
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Mar 4: Sharing concern on same pedestal, the Opposition PDP and ruling party NC MLAs today spoke in one voice in favour of the resolutions seeking withdrawal of security forces and revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act in J&K.A formal reply to the debate in the state Assembly from the NC led coalition government, countering the PDP charges of having failed to present a human face, assured the House that government was working in direction of creating an 'atmosphere' for zero tolerance to human rights violations. Government also sought cooperation of all parties to strengthen its peace initiatives.
The resolutions moved by PDP's Nizam-uDin Bhat and Javed Mir Mustafa in the House witnessed both the arch rivals speaking in same tone and tenor, with arguments against the presence of security forces and strongly advocating revocation of the powers wrested to them through AFSPA.
In support of his resolution, Nizamuddin Bhat while terming AFSMA as draconian and harsh said that it was unpalatable and in contravention of the institutions in the democratic system. "The Act was implemented in the state 20 years back under extraordinary situation….it was a compulsion at that time but now it has outlived its utility", the PDP leader observed, contending that now situation has changed and such laws have lost their relevance and undermining the normal functioning of democratic system. He further said that that stray incidents of militancy in different parts of the State should not be the parameter of assessing the situation.
In the changed scenario and changed situation when everyone at the international level, sub continental level and at the national level is pursuing the larger agenda of peace,the AFSMA is an impediment of peace goal, good governance and political stability as also the peace process started by former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Bhat observed. "This Act is in contrast to the bigger agenda of peace process so there is need to revoke such acts to exhibit and ensure sincerity to the peace agenda", he said and further adding that AFSPA was an irritant to whole process of reconciliation and process.
Calling upon the members of all political parties to rise above party considerations, he said revocation of such law would given a message in the whole world that situation has been improved in this region. " the tag of disturbed area would be removed and a message would go that situation has improved in the state", he said . He further said that without revoking AFSPA and withdrawing troops, confidence of the people would not be restored. "I firmly believe that the prestige of the House by recommending the same would be enhanced", the PDP leader asserted.
Supporting the arguments of her party the Leader of opposition Mehbooba Mufti alleged the ruling National Conference had not only failed to present a human face before the people of Jammu and Kashmir but also failed to remove the mistrust between the State and the Centre government. "On one hand the government has failed to earn confidence of the people while on the other hand the trust deficit was still prevailing between State and Centre governments", Mehbooba observed while citing the instance of Bomai incident,regretting that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had failed to fulfill his own commitment of shifting the armed forces from that area.
" There was trust deficit between Centre and State government as successive state governments have changed their stands from time to time ", she pointed out and recalled that the then Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayed has not only removed this mistrust but also persuade the successive Central governments to pursue the pro-peace and pro-people policies. The opposition leader said that during the last assembly elections, over 60 percent of the people had cast their votes and there was a need to compliment the people by withdrawing troops and revoking draconian law like AFSPA. The PDP MLA Javed Mir Mustafa also claimed that in the changed security situation, the role of security forces in civilian areas was no more and they needed to be vacated to what he said honour the aspirations of the people.
Particpating in the debate, NC MLA Mir Saifullah strongly advocated both the resolutions . Contending that army was responsible for many innocent killings, Saifullah targeted BJP central leadership for what he alleged the latter labeling Kashmiris as terrorists .The senior BJP leaders in Delhi by saying so are sending e message to security forces to go and kill more and people…..this is unfortunate and unacceptable…", Saifullah said. While NC's Nazir Gurezi spoke on the similar line advocating in favour of the resolutions, CPI leader and MLA MY Tarigami made his observations in a subtle way, even though he also supported both the resolutions . "In the changed circumstances we have to reavaluate our responses…….the disproportionate size of the security forces has be reviewed and reduced and revocation of AFSPA has to be seen in context of wider demands of the people", Targami said adding that the good work done by army over the 20 years cannot be ignored as well.
In its reply at the end of the debate the Law Minister Ali Mohamad Sagar emphasized on cooperation from opposition rather than trying to score political points over the efforts of achieving common goal of peace." This is not the concern of only PDP, NC or Congress ………it doesn't behove well on parties to create hurdles for political interests ……people of Kashmir are also fed up of continuous strikes and violence……we want to take them out of this situation", Sagar said asserting that coalition government was lready working to create such atmosphere. " I call upon the parties to make joint efforts and strengthen the hands of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in peace initiatives", he said emphasizing on the unity of all parties on these issues.
The Minister said that Omar led coalition Government has quickly responded to the security related incidents that happened at Bomai Pakherpora, Baramulla and Nishat where enquires were conducted and the persons responsible for such incidents booked, adding that it was for the first time during the past 20-years that security forces handed over its personal to the local police for interrogation in the killing of a young boy. He also described the surrender of Birdi, Commandant of BSF, to the authorities today as historic in the past 20 years.The Minister also informed the House that the security forces have vacated 311 buildings, 590 private houses, 30 hotels and 8 cinema halls in the State so far. He said that the Government has already taken initiatives with regard to relocation of the forces adding that security forces have already been withdrawn from the areas where normalcy has been restored.
Both the resolutions were however rejected by Voice vote in the House.
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