KL Report
Srinagar
In what could turn out to be yet another controversial demand after the revocation of AFSPA, ruling National Conference (NC) is believed to have demanded the control of the Srinagar International Airport to the civilian authority.
Sources in the NC told KNS the party delegation which met Prime minster Dr Manmohan Singh during his just concluded Kashmir visit presented a memorandum to him which included the demand of the transferring control of Srinagar International Airport to the civilian authority. Pertinently the only run way in the airport is under the control of defence ministry.
“The Srinagar Airport is of different nature where civilian authority does not have control on the run way, therefore we have urged Prime Minster to explore the possibilities of its transfer to the civilian authority”, a senior member of the ruling party told KNS
Meanwhile Provincial president and former MoS Home Nasir Aslam Wani confirmed to KNS that NC has indeed demanded that the control of the airport be handed over to the civilian authority.
“Yes we put across the demand”, Wani told KNS, adding that the other demands which NC emphasized upon were the resumption of dialogue with all stake holders of the Kashmir issue and expanding the rail network to the tourist and other inaccessible areas.
“Prime Minster was very much optimistic regarding the resumption of dialogue with different stakeholders including separatist leaders for the resolution of the Kashmir issue”, Wani told KNS. He added that the Prime Minster was very much positive in this regard.
“We urged Prime Minster that there should be more tunnel projects in areas like Gurez, Razdan Pass, and other areas which remain almost inaccessible during winters and harsh weather. We also demanded the extension of rail network to tourist resorts of Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg and areas like Uri, Tangmarg, Ganderbal and other such areas”, added Wani.
The NC provincial president however evaded a direct reply on whether they had included the revocation of AFSPA which Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has been strongly advocating for.
“That is an issue between state and Union Government, but NC as a party has been demanding for the revocation of Act for a long time now and we will continue to press for that”, said Wani
