Kulgam, July 10: Calling for reduction of troops in J&K, CPI (M) General Secretary Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami Tuesday asked the state government to take a firm call on the revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers (AFSPA) from the state.
 “The state government has been making a lot of noise about the revocation of AFSPA from the state but so far it has proved a mere political gimmick,” said Tarigami, addressing a function at Government High School at Nilaw village here.
 He impressed upon the Centre and state government to make their stand clear on the issue.
 “The government first made announcements on the revocation of AFSPA from the state in view of the improved security scenario. Then it talked of partial revocation of the Act in the areas where Army has no role and now they have assured of doing away with the Act in Jammu and Srinagar. I appeal both the state as well as the Center Government not to play politics on this sensitive issue and take a firm call on the revocation of the Act,” he said.
 Describing Army’s statement of ruling out any possibility of troop cut in the state as “unfortunate”, Tarigami said: “It is an irony that on one hand the security agencies themselves admit that the situation in the state has improved drastically and militant activities are negligible but at the same time they are opposing any reduction in number of troops which is quite surprising.”
 He said that it is quite illogical on part of Army to persist with the same security apparatus as that of early 90s when the militancy was at its peak.
 Expressing concern over the slow progress in the Indo-Pak dialogue process, Tarigami said, “Though it is a welcome step that the two countries have come on a negotiating table and have fully realized that it is the only way they can resolve all the issues, the slow progress in the dialogue process is a cause of concern.”
 He said that the two countries were in pursue of achieving a major breakthrough on Kashmir issue in 2006 but “the political instability in Pakistan spoiled the initiative.”
 “I appeal the political leadership of two countries to pick up the threads left midway by the leadership of two countries in 2006, shun rigidity and display flexibility to resolve all the outstanding disputes particularly Kashmir,” he said.
 Tarigami asked the two countries to stop competing with each other on military front and focus on welfare of the poor and marginalized people.
 “Instead of spending billions on security and Arms both the countries should introspect and spend the same on the farmers who are committing suicide and poor people who don’t have shelter and are starving of hunger,” said Tarigami.
 Tarigami said that the gun culture has brought destruction and Kashmiris have been its worst victims. “Whether it has been the gun of India or Pakistan, it has always been a Kashmiri who has been its victim. Violence only disturbs the entire social fabric and inflicts the wounds that never heal. We have seen enough of it and now it is time we start focusing on education and empowerment of youth”.
 He asked the Kashmiris not to plead the case of New Delhi or Islamabad but Kashmiris. “All the Kashmiris whether separatist or mainstream should stop advocating the interests of New Delhi and Islamabad and rather carry forward the voice of Kashmiris,” said Tarigami.
 Asking the Center to implement the recommendations of the various committees set up by it, Tarigami said, “I appeal New Delhi to implement the recommendations of the committees they had themselves framed, whether they are the working group’s recommendations or those of the interlocutors as part of the Confidence Building Measures (CBMS) and to regain the trust of the people.”
 He also impressed upon hassle-free trade and travel between two sides of Kashmir and also opening of all historical routes connecting Kashmir to outside world”. 

Lastupdate on : Tue, 10 Jul 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 10 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 11 Jul 2012 00:00:00 IST