‘PDP to fight for restoration of special status’
Srinagar, April 12: Appealing youth to lay down arms and shun the path of violence, former chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti said they (youth) should present their views democratically.
The former chief minister said that her part will continue to fight for the restoration of special status of J&K, despite huge pressure being put on her by using various agencies.
Mehbooba said that Pakistan and India has to listen to the people of the J&K and resolve the issue, keeping in view the aspirations of the locals.
“Some people want that the youth of J&K should pickup guns so that they are dubbed as militants in front of the world. I appeal such youth to lay down arms and not to waste their lives. They should put forward their views democratically… they may not listen to their views right now. But ultimately India and Pakistan will have to resolve all issues, including Kashmir, in accordance with the aspirations of the people of J&K,” Mehbooba told reporters in the sideline of a party function here on Monday.
“If the PM appeals to militants of Assam to join the mainstream and leave their weapons… if talks are held with Boro (Bodo), then what is the difficulty in doing the same in Jammu and Kashmir? Why is there no option besides jail? How long will this injustice continue?” she said.
The PDP president said that the special status to the erstwhile state of J&K was given by the Indian Constitution. “This special status was not given by China or Pakistan. Why is the BJP government pained when we seek its restoration? We had acceded to India on certain conditions and one of them was to protect our identity,” she said.
Mehbooba said that the centre will have to restore the special status of J&K. “You will have to return what you have snatched from the people, if you really care for them,” she added.
Answering a question, PDP chief said Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) was created to restore the special status of J&K. “PAGD is intact… if anything happens to it, who will become the voice of the people? PAGD is there to stay and raise issues pertaining to the people,” she said.
