PDP rejects Omar's statement on demilitarisation

Srinagar Sep 07: Opposition Peoples Democratic Party on Monday rejected statement of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah that complete demilitarisation will never happen in Jammu and Kashmir, saying that the government stance was against the interests of normalcy.
"We reject Chief Minister's contention that withdrawal of troops from civilian areas would have to wait till an unspecified date in future," PDP President Mehbooba Mufti said addressing workers convention in Kupwara 100 kilometres from here today. She described the government stance as being against the interests of normalcy in the state.
Yesterday after inaugurating an army mela in Rajouri, Omar had said, "Armed Forces Special Powers Act is still needed in the state. Since Jammu and Kashmir is a border state, complete demilitarisation is not possible. It will not happen in future also."
Mehbooba said, "People having reposed a renewed trust in democratic system. It is the people, who are the best guarantors of peace and security. Government forces are only expected to create an environment for the civil society to operate freely."
Addressing the meeting the Party general secretary Mohammad Dilawar Mir and senior leader Tariq Hamid Qarra dwelt in detail on various components of the Self Rule. They said it was encouraging that the issues raised by the party had generated a constructive debate among political and media circles, but emphasised the need for taking it to the grass roots.
MLA Lolab and the district president Kupwara Advocate Abdul Haq also addressed the meeting.