Jammu: Opposition PDP chief Mehbooba
Mufti on Tuesday accused Jammu and Kashmir government of turning
the Valley into a "jail", days after human rights watchdog
Amnesty International criticised the detentions under Public
Safety Act in the state.
"It is because of the conversion of Kashmir in jail by
the government, they (Amnesty International) compared India -
the biggest and honourable democracy - to Israel and Egypt
over Kashmir," Leader of Opposition Mufti told Assembly during
a discussion.
"It (labelling of India to Israel, Egypt on Kashmir)
is not an honour to us. We are part of establishment here. We
are part of the Indian democracy, which world considers in the
highest esteem," she said, adding, "this is black spot which
is now on everyone`s face".
Targeting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, she said his
government has triggered a "fear psychosis by mass arbitrary
arrests and regular attendance of youths in police stations in
the Valley."
She also demanded a discussion in the House over the
AI report and said it is time to end detentions, arrests and
attendances in police station.
"We need to rise above politics. A congenial
atmosphere vis--vis involvement is a must to resolve the
issues. Jammu and Kashmir should be created as a bridge for
better India-Pakistan relations," Mufti said.
She called for strengthening democracy by undertaking
measures of healing touch and reconciliation. "It will only
come up when there will be end to arbitrary arrests, slapping
of PSAs, ending clandestine recruitments and strengthening
institutions and rising above political affiliations in the
state."
The PDP leader welcomed the setting up of Truth and
Reconciliation Commission.
She also called for involvement of separatists in
talks and withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act
(AFSPA).
Lauding former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for
initiating Indo-Pak dialogue, she said, "I salute Vajapyee
for taking major steps in strengthening Indo-Pak relations."
Mufti further said it was the duty of the Abdullah-led
government to honestly participate in solving the Kashmir
issue. "Do justice to the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh
for overall development and peace in the state," she added.
PTI
