Jammu: Opposition People`s Democratic Party
on Friday sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh`s intervention in
restoring "civil liberties" of the people of Jammu and
Kashmir, especially the youth.
During her meeting with the Prime Minister at Raj Bhawan
here, PDP President Mehbooba Mufti brought to his notice the
alleged human rights violation in the state.
Mehbooba told Singh that unless a "congenial atmosphere
was created in the state well meaning initiatives like the
internal dialogue or resumption of Indo-Pak talks will fail to
takeoff."
"You will have to address the concerns of the people
of Jammu and Kashmir and ensure their democratic rights to see
your dream of resolving Kashmir materialise," she told Singh.
The Prime Minister said arbitrary arrests if any
should not take place in Kashmir.
"I am not sure (whether arrests are taking place).
if they are taking place, I will talk to the Chief Minister,
who is with me", Singh said.
However, he said, "I have no hesitation in saying that
any arbitrary arrests of the type you are talking about are
not consistent with norms of civilised government wherever
they are".
Mehbooba said that while the PDP and other parties
including Hurriyat were demanding release of prisoners,
revocation of AFSPA and Disturbed Area Act and reduction of
forces in civilian areas, the state government had created a
stonewall of repression and revenge against all voices of
concern and peace.
She said unless these issues are addressed which now
constitute the political middle ground of the state it would
be futile to hope for restoration of normalcy.
The PDP president said even after the visit of the all
party delegation to the state and announcement of eight point
agenda the government had not taken a single step towards
rebuilding confidence of the people in country`s democratic
system or creating conditions for their participation in
resolution process.
"While hopes had been raised that the government would
reach out to the deeply bruised people of Kashmir nothing has
been done in that direction," she told Singh.
Mehbooba alleged that the National Conference was trying
to silence all voices of dissent within the mainstream.
"The NC was again using state repression to push the
youth to the wall, generate a hostile atmosphere and
strengthen the sentiment of separatism," she alleged.
She said PDP would, like any other political party,
continue to hold public demonstrations, street protests and
awareness campaigns to highlight the bitter truth about
Kashmir under the present coalition.
PTI
