Restrain army from politicking: Beg tells GoI

Favours Clemency To Afzal Guru

Srinagar: Ruling National Conference senior leader and member Parliament, Dr Mehboob Beg, Wednesday asked government of India to restrain army from politicking, saying it was against ‘national interests’.
“There are two ways for army to give its feedback. One is directly to Prime Minister and second is through its agencies. However, the way they are going public is against national interests,” Beg told reporters on the sidelines of a function in Tral in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
“I warn government of India to restrain army from making statements in public as policy decisions are taken by political leadership and should be left for Prime Minister or Chief Minister,” he said while responding to a query on AFSPA.
The member Parliament South Kashmir also advocated clemency to , convicted for attack on Indian parliament.
“When Punjab can unite for Balwant Singh Rajoana and BJP maintained criminal silence in fear of situation getting worse there, the same way there are chances of impact on situation in Jammu and Kashmir and as such Afzal Guru should be given clemency.”
Earlier, addressing a public rally, he said that the National Conference was committed to strengthening democratic institutions of the state.
Dr Beg said that it was imperative for the people of the state to know the contribution of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah for welfare and betterment of the people of the state.
“Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah fought against autocratic rule and gave people democratic right to decide their future.”
He also said that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was following the footsteps of his grandfather and his contribution to “strengthening the democratic institutions and overall development is being appreciated by the people in and outside the state.”
Dr Beg also said that National Conference believes that Kashmir is a political issue and its leadership is committed to resolve it politically. “The chief minister has number of times told central leadership that Kashmir is a political issues and its solution is important for peace and prosperity of the state.”
He said once the Kashmir issue would get resolved, a new era of amity would start in Indo- Pak ties.
He said that party believes that restoration of internal autonomy is the best possible solution to Kashmir issue and if any other solution is accepted by people, the party will also respect it.