Kaloosa (Bandipora), Dec 11: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Prof Saifuddin Soz on Sunday said the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) is a temporary law and it will be revoked at an appropriate time.
 “I stand by my suggestion that deliberations should be held before revoking AFSPA from any part of the state,” Soz told reporters on the sidelines of a rally here in north Kashmir.     
 Replying to a query about differences between the coalition partners, Soz said, “We have to tread on this path even if it is rock-strewn, the coalition politics is now common in the country so we have to go by it. We have the coalition coordination committee in the state to run the system smoothly,” he said.
 Regarding upcoming municipal polls, Soz hinted that Congress would fight these elections alone.
 Earlier, while addressing the gathering, Soz said the Panchayats would help in strengthening the democracy at the grassroots level. “Panchayats empower people and helps in devolution of powers from secretariat to villages itself,” he added.
 “Our elected Panchayat members are not officers like Deputy Commissioner and Tehsildars, they are leaders, and they don’t need salaries as they are demanding. Allowance like Travelling Allowances should be given to them as they have to run from one place to another for the betterment of people,” Soz added.
 “The elected Panchayat members have to work for the development of the state. Congress is committed to devolution of powers to the elected members and we have suggested government to devolve power till the 73th amendment is adopted,” he said. “Only Congress is speaking about the 73th amendment of the constitution and we are committed to ensure that governance reaches at doorsteps.”
 Referring to Kishenganga Hydroelectric Project, Soz said, “I took this project in the cabinet during my tenure as Union Minster, we took utmost care in saving the villages which would get submerged due to the dam construction.”
 Soz said Asia’s largest lake, Wullar is in a bad condition and its pristine glory needs to be revived.
 “People have destructed the Wullar Lake. They have put future of coming generations at stake,” he added.
 Praising his party, Soz said, “Congress is vibrant in the Valley it is the only party which can mitigate the problems of the people.”
 He appealed the people to support ex-minister and Congress leader Usman Majeed for the development of the area.
 Among the others who spoke on the occasion included Minster for Health and Floriculture Sham Lal Sharma, Minster for Sports and Medical Education R S Chib, Usman Majeed , Senior Vice-President Muzaffar Parray and Ex MLC Habibullah Bhat

6 CONG ACTIVISTS INJURED  
 At least six Congress activists sustained injuries when the vehicles carrying them were stoned by some people prior to the rally.
 Witnesses said a few vehicles carrying Congress activists were attacked near main Chowk Nowpora injuring about six of them who were shifted to hospital for treatment. However police team rushed to the spot and rescued the cadres, later on the security was tightened all over the township for the smooth arrival of the Congress chief Saifuddin Soz and his colleagues.
 Talking to Greater Kashmir senior Congress leader Usman Majeed said, “Few miscreants resorted to the stone-pelting to disrupt the rally, however all Congress leaders reached the spot safely and successfully addressed the rally.”
 “We appeal the district administration including police heads to probe the matter and punish the culprits,” he added.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 11 Dec 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 11 Dec 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 IST