Handwara, Mar 11: The minister for law and parliamentary affairs, Ali Muhammad Sagar Thursday urged chairmen of Hurriyat factions, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, to come forward for talks on resolution of Kashmir issue.
 “Geelani and Mirwaiz should come forward and put their viewpoint forward and hold talks with Prime Minister,” Sagar said addressing a gathering at Butgund in Langate here.
 “Our children, who should have pen in their hands, were handed guns. The graveyards have been filled in past 20 years,” he said.
 Accusing Peoples Democratic Party of ‘needlessly’ raising hue and cry over human rights violations, he said the coalition government led by National Conference was committed to safeguard people’s rights.
 “For the first time in 20 years, a BSF commandant has been arrested,” he said, adding that no action was taken against the troopers accused of was killing Doodhipora teenagers, Imam of Sangrama or groom of Tujjar Sharif when PDP was in power.
 He said no action or FIR was lodged when 70 youth were martyred during Amarnath land agitation
 “Our chief minister believes in action and would not tolerate human rights abuses at any cost,” he added.
 MLA Langate Er Rashid said PDP has no moral authority to speak on human rights issues as hundreds of people, including him were put behind bars on political affiliation and for raising voice against atrocities during PDP rule.
 “I was arrested on frivolous case in 2005-06 for being affiliated with militant outfit and had to pay more than Rs one lakh to the cops for getting me out,” he said.
 “PDP should apologize to the nation for failing to protect rights during their tenure,” he added.
 Referring to the recent employment package, he said besides announcing  stipend for the unemployed youth several packages have also been incorporated in the same for setting up of income generating units by the prospective entrepreneurs.
 Taking cognizance of the various complaints, Sagar ordered the attachments of BDO Tangdhar and suspension of a VLW langate.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 IST