Seer (Pahalgam), July 5: Terming prevailing calm in the Valley as “deceptive” the former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Patron, Mufti Muhammad Sayeed on Tuesday asked New Delhi to address the basic issue in order to bring everlasting peace.
“It is a good omen that tourists and Amarnath pilgrims are arriving in good numbers but New Delhi should not feel complacent and shy away from addressing the basic issue. The government is trying to manage things on seasonal basis and trying to enforce peace. But the calm like the present one will always be fragile and deceptive. Aspirations of people need to be addressed by finding dignified solution of the Kashmir issue,” Mufti said while addressing a gathering here in south Kashmir.
He said that though New Delhi had recommended certain Confidence Building Measures (CBMS) after last year’s summer unrest but apart from the appointment of interlocutors nothing has happened on ground.
On the visit of interlocutors, Mufti while apparently referring to separatists said, “I will not term the exercise as futile but I don’t have many expectations from them (interlocutors), as they did not meet the people they should have met.”
Mufti while expressing concern over the continuous detention of youth and political prisoners in different jails said, “It is an irony that those who mourned the death of their kith and kin have been booked under draconian laws while those who were involved in the killing of 120 innocent people are roaming free. FIRs have been lodged against 5000 youth, which has marred their career. Even the veteran leaders like 85-year old, Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai are languishing in jails. I appeal the government to release all youth detained on charges of stone pelting and withdraw all the cases registered against them.”
He urged the government to also release political prisoners languishing in various jails for past may years. 
Announcing that his party would launch a sustained campaign for the resolution of Kashmir issue, Mufti said, “We are not carrying gun or even a stone in our hands but will fight democratically for our right, which is the final resolution of the Kashmir issue.  Our party believes that Self Rule formula addresses the aspirations of all the regions of the state as it guarantees both political and economic independence but we are open to debate and discussion.”
“Though we are not in power but the remote control is in our hands as we have 21 members in the Assembly. We vow to change the destiny of Kashmiris for better. You should go and fight for your rights whether it is providing better health facilities, employment guarantee schemes, smooth functioning of Anganwardi centres, better power and electric supply or development of roads and parks in a democratic way at Panchayat and Halqa level,” he said. Mufti blamed the National Conference for suppressing the voice of people and not tolerating dissent, “NC has always thrived on the politics of deceit and it has always been scared of democratic process. Party rigged the elections in 1977 and 1987 to ensure its victory. The  rigging in 1987 elections led to the creation of UJC Chairman and Hizb supremo Syed Salahuddin who despite winning comfortably was kept out of fray.”
Mufti while emphasizing on opening of all routes for trade and people to people contacts said, “After the subcontinent achieved independence Kashmir was turned into a jail as all the routes connecting us with the outside world were closed and we were separated from our brothers living on other side of the Line of Control (LOC).”
He said that the Self Rule will not only empower the people politically but also economically. “Its implementation will ensure that instead of New Delhi taking decisions on our part we will be able to govern ourselves. It also stresses on opening of all routes for trade and people to people contacts and making our state as free economic zone and trade corridor,” he added.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 5 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 5 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 6 Jul 2011 00:00:00 IST