SRINAGAR: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday said that the party has continuously advocated for the repeal of the stringent AFSPA and the gradual reduction of troops in Jammu and Kashmir. “This stance was also a significant component of our Agenda of Alliance, which was mutually agreed upon by the BJP,” she wrote on X.
Mehbooba was reacting to Union Minister Amit Shah’s statement regarding AFSPA revocation and withdrawal of troops from Jammu and Kashmir.
Mehbooba, in a sarcastic tone, pointed out that the BJP’s action, would be preferable, as long as it’s not hollow rhetoric like the promise of generating two crore jobs annually or the empty pledge of depositing 15 lakh rupees into bank accounts.
“PDP has consistently demanded the revocation of draconian AFSPA along with a gradual removal of troops. It also formulated an important part of our Agenda of Alliance wholeheartedly agreed upon by BJP. Der aayee durust aaye. Better late than never but only if it isn’t jumlebaazi like generating two crore jobs every year or empty promises of depositing 15 lacs into bank accounts. One can only hope that they fulfill their commitment at least in this case since it would bring a huge relief to the people of JK,” she wrote on X.
She further added, “To walk the talk perhaps MHA can start by releasing journalists and thousands of young Kashmiri boys currently languishing in jails without any charges or prosecution.”
Earlier in an interview with Gulistan News, Shah mentioned that the government would indeed contemplate revoking AFSPA from Jammu and Kashmir in the future. He added, “The situation is improving, and we are promptly considering revoking AFSPA from Jammu and Kashmir. A change in the state of affairs is under consideration.”
