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Wednesday, Jul 01, 2009
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Give Army honourable exit from Kashmir: Mehbooba Mufti

Praveen Swami

‘There’s a very negative mindset in New Delhi on this issue’

NEW DELHI: People’s Democratic Party leader Mehbooba Mufti has called for the withdrawal of the Indian Army from Jammu and Kashmir, saying its presence was no longer needed to fight terrorists. Pointing to several recent cases involving alleged human rights violations by Army personnel, Ms Mufti said there was a “general climate of resentment against the Army and Central Reserve Police Force” and “it is time to give them an honourable exit.”

In an exclusive interview to The Hindu, Ms Mufti contended that “these forces were needed at a particular time and in a particular context. But now, even officials say there are only 500 militants. There are hardly any encounters.”

The PDP leader’s renewed calls for the demilitarisation of the State come as New Delhi deliberates Jammu and Kashmir proposals for slashing troop strength and lifting the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from parts of the State. Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram has been holding discussions with defence and intelligence experts on the prospects of withdrawing troops from the central Kashmir districts of Srinagar and Badgam, as well as the districts of Jammu and Kathua.

During a recent visit to Srinagar, Mr. Chidambaram announced that the government was in the process of “redrawing the lines of responsibility” between the Army, central police organisations, and the Jammu and Kashmir Police. He said that a final decision would be made on these issues after consultations with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Defence Minister A.K. Antony. Subsequently, Army chief Deepak Kapoor suggested that some relocation of troops might be possible after the end of the ongoing pilgrimage to the Amarnath Shrine in southern Kashmir.

Ms Mufti, however, is sceptical about New Delhi’s resolve on demilitarisation. “I think the Prime Minister is sincere,” she observed, “but I am sorry to say there is a very negative mindset in New Delhi on this issue.”

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