Srinagar, July 30: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president, Mehbooba Mufti Monday said killing of Hilal Ahmad Dar of Bandipora district by Army has shown that the “nexus between the Ikhwanis (state-sponsored gunmen) and security forces” has returned under National Conference-led coalition government.
Hilal was shot dead by Army in Bandipora township of north Kashmir on last Tuesday. “The killing shows that the nexus between the security forces and Ikhwanis has returned. It is very unfortunate,” Mehbooba told media persons on the sidelines of her party’s 13th Foundation Day function here.
Earlier, in her address, Mehbooba said resolving Kashmir issue demands that people of Jammu and Kashmir should be given their rights.
“The leadership of our country should trust Kashmiri youth,” she demanded. “The black laws like AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) should be revoked and cities and towns should be demilitarized.”
She asked government of India to return the rights of JK state over its water resources. “We appeal to the country’s leadership to consider these issues seriously,” she said.
Mehbooba termed unemployment as the biggest challenge in J&K.
She said when Omar Abdullah led government came to power, people hoped that a “positive change” initiated by PDP-led coalition government in 2005 would continue.
“But it is unfortunate that this government lodged cases against 5000 youth for raising their voice against atrocities,” she said. “Around 120 youth were martyred in 2010 unrest and not a single policeman or security force personnel were held accountable.”
She warned if the cases against the youth are not withdrawn it would have “serious repercussions”.
Mehbooba said the present government has failed to fulfill the commitment of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah which he made on the floor of legislative assembly that all FIRs against youth would be withdrawn.
Instead, she said, more youth have been arrested and false and fabricated cases registered against teenagers.
She warned the government that PDP could not wait indefinitely for these FIRs to be withdrawn.
She said it was expected from this government to open new avenues for youth but instead they have become “focused victim of inefficiency, corruption and police repression”.
Mehbooba said corruption has become order of day and everything from jobs, contracts and transfers was on sale in J&K.
“The corruption industry is growing by leaps and bounds,” she said.
Mehbooba said people of J&K could not be denied their democratic rights for too long.
“I call upon leaders in New Delhi to learn to trust the people of J&K. They are the best security for the state and the country,” Mehbooba observed.
She said the state has to come out of the siege that was laid around by circumstances created by partition.
“I am requesting New Delhi that we don’t want go away but don’t imprison us. Allow us to use the routes that connect us to outside world in Central Asia and other countries as much as other roads that connect us with the country.”
She said the future of J&K lies in liberating it from the present state of siege and reopening its traditional routes along LoC. She said along with this J&K needs improved connectivity between regions and sub-regions.
“We need central government assistance for building tunnels to connect Kishtwar-Gadol, Bandipora-Gurez, Thathri-Doda and Kupwara-Karnah,” she said.
A banner was hanging from the stage where from the PDP leaders addressed showing a picture of the Joint Advisory Council, part of PDP’s self rule.
It showed seats reserved for members from J&K under the state flag and flag of Union of India and opposite to it the seats reserved for members from Pakistan Administered Kashmir with flags of PaK and Pakistan hanging on wall.
“It is a Joint Advisory Council which is a part of Self Rule for discussing the issues confronting both sides,” Mehbooba said.
She said issues related to economics, tourism, and management of water resources could be debated in it.
Mehbooba said during his visit to JK earlier Prime Minister “some sort of mechanism on this front”. “Joint Advisory Council is the mechanism which can address the issues.”

Lastupdate on : Mon, 30 Jul 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 30 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 31 Jul 2012 00:00:00 IST