PDP threatens to launch movement if AFSPA is not revoked

Opposition Peoples Democratic Party on Thursday threatened to launch a mass movement if there was any further delay in rationalization of the strength of armed forces and revocation of their special powers in Jammu and Kashmir.

Opposition Peoples Democratic Party on Thursday threatened to launch a mass movement if there was any further delay in rationalization of the strength of armed forces and revocation of their special powers in Jammu and Kashmir.

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"Any dilly-dallying on this subject (cut in troops and revocation of their special powers) could spark off a people's movement and PDP would be a part of that justified endeavor", PDP Patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said addressing poll rallies at Dooru and Khannabal, 45 kms from Srinagar in Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency going to polls on April 30.

Sayeed said reduction in the troops and revocation of armed forces special powers act (AFSPA) were also recommended by the Working Group headed by the Vice-President Hamid Ansari that was constituted by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

"These recommendations reflect the collective will of the people of the State", the PDP leader said, adding the group that comprised, like other Working Groups, all shades of public opinion had categorically recommended scrapping of AFSPA.

"People of the State would rise against the continued denial of justice if these recommendations are not implemented at the earliest", Sayeed cautioned and said it was time that the union government took up the matter seriously.