Don’t take calm on streets for granted: PDP tells Delhi

Srinagar: Stating that the calm on the surface should not be taken for granted rather should be used as an opportunity to address the problem, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti Saturday said that 8-point package announced by the New Delhi in the aftermath of unrest had yet to see light of the day.

During her interaction with the visiting delegations of MPs, senior politicians and members of civil society, PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti regretted that the Prime Minister’s All Party Delegation’s visit had left a lot to be desired as there was no follow up action after their return.

She said that the Delegation had raised hope among the people as it was first high level political delegation visiting the State and had broken the ice by even reaching out to the separatists.

Even after passing of more than two months, no action has been taken on the ground, she observed.

Even the eight point package announced by the Centre had yet to see light of the day.

Thousands of youth have been arrested after announcement of this package despite the fact that centerpiece of the package was release of prisoners, she pointed out.

She further added that even the High Court orders are made in fructuous by the government through a well established revolving door system.

Explaining further, she informed the delegation as to how mock releases have been made and the political prisoners rearrested. She narrated example of Kashmir High Court Bar Association President Mian Abdul Qayoom, who was released and later rearrested within no time.

PDP chief said that absence of any political initiative from the New Delhi has pushed the Kashmiris back to the dark ages of violence.

She alleged that State Government had failed the people even in providing security to life and property which is the fundamental of any governance.

To add insult to the deep injuries inflected to the people, the State Government was virtually mocking at them as the Chief Minister was indulging in street hooting when he says that nothing has been achieved by the months of struggle and sacrifice. “As if the people of the State had themselves got their children mercilessly killed just to come out to protest”, she said in a statement to Press Bureau of India.

“State Government instead of reaching to the people in general and victims in particular was rubbing salt to their wounds and tended to trivialize suffering of the people who have been engaged in grim battle for justice.

PDP president said that present regime has earlier also due to its misgoverance and dishonesty of their political agenda vitiated the atmosphere of the state and pushed the people to militancy in late 80s. After 2008 elections once again the government again adopting suppressive measures to curb the genuine voice for justice on one hand and indulging in nepotism and corruption in all fields of governance, had once again pushed the people especially the youth to take up desperate measures for getting justice.

Therefore PDP emphasized on the political delegation to look into situation seriously and try to convey the real ground situation to the people of the country so that all political parties could work together to find a just and honorable solution to the Kashmir problem.

The delegation assured the PDP leadership of all help at the national level to sensitize the people of the country about the plight of Kashmiri people and bring around a consensus for a just and ever lasting solution.