Poonch, Feb 14: The Peoples Democratic Party president, Mehbooba Mufti today said the government of India should initiate action to revoke AFSPA and reduce troops to build a congenial atmosphere in the state.
Addressing a seminar on Self Rule here, she said a holistic approach to resolve the Kashmir could not be delayed anymore. She said with Indo-Pak dialogue back on track, it needed to be complemented with action on the internal front as envisioned in Self Rule to induce confidence among the people of J&K.
“Without relief on these fronts to the people, credibility will elude the peace process,” she added.
She said “we cannot solve Kashmir through a piecemeal attitude or isolated legislative action. Neither can a partisan approach to score points against each other lead us anywhere.” She said the party under the leadership of Mufti Muhammad Sayeed had set a new trend by channelizing political aspirations of people even while in power and mainstream which “made it easy” for others like NC to toe the line.
She said Poonch and Rajouri would be significantly impacted by the self rule for virtual unification of the two parts of the state. She said LoC travel and trade was “not growing” and called for opening of all borders for the socio-economic growth of the state.
Emphasizing unification of both sides of Kashmir by making the borders irrelevant, she said this step would help in the economic growth of the both sides of Kashmir and heel wounds of the partition.
She said water agreements with New Delhi should be re-negotiated and J&K should have first right on its water resources.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 14 Feb 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 14 Feb 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:00:00 IST