Repeal of AFSPA must for resolution of Kashmir problem : PDP

Asking the Centre to respond to the faith shown by people of Jammu and Kashmir in the democratic process, opposition PDP today said revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and demilitarisation of civilian areas will be a step in that direction.

Asking the Centre to respond to the faith shown by people of Jammu and Kashmir in the democratic process, opposition PDP today said revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and demilitarisation of civilian areas will be a step in that direction.

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Addressing a public meeting at Wakoora in Ganderbal district, PDP President Mehbooba Mufti said her party believes that to create an atmosphere conducive to resolution of the Kashmir problem substantial measures to restore the confidence of people of the state are unavoidable.

“And nothing more meaningful could be thought of than allowing people to live their life without the intruding presence of security forces who are empowered even to kill without any accountability,” she said.

Asking the Centre to reciprocate the faith people of the state have reposed in the democratic process, she said nothing less than revoking AFSPA and demilitarization of civilian areas could signal seriousness of government’s intentions to solve the Kashmir problem once and for all.

Even the Working Groups constituted by the Prime Minister had endorsed the demand, she said, adding that it was now the moral responsibility of the PM to implement the recommendations.

Mehbooba said as long as the security forces enjoyed the legal cover under AFSPA it was impossible to arrest the rising trend of human rights violations in the state.