Wednesday, September 15, 2010

APSPA CONTINUES

No consensus on dilution of AFSPA in J&K
New Delhi Sep 15 (Only Kashmir): No consensus was reached on the dilution of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Jammu and Kashmir to control violence in the Valley at the all party meet chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi. At the meet it was decided that an all party delegation would visit the state to assess the ground situation before arriving at any decision. Expressing satisfaction over the result of the meeting, Union minister for renewable resources Farooq Abdullah told the media persons that an all party delegation will visit the state. "The Home Ministry will organize the visit of the delegation and the state government will facilitate the delegation to meet the various groups. A meaningful dialogue must begin." Abdullah also told the media persons that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has no trust deficit in Omar Abdullah's government in Jammu and Kashmir. The opposition leader of J&K and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said, "Our demand is phased withdrawal of army from the state." Reiterating her stand that mere words are not enough, Mufti sought a 'concrete and not a cosmetic' step forward by the government in this direction. "Dialogue is crucial and separatists should be included in the talks to find a meaningful solution to the crisis." Meanwhile, in a statement issued to the media, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi urged all political parties to put aside their ideological and political differences. She said, "The challenge is too serious to allow differences to get in way." Adding further Sonia said, "I share the anguish of those who have lost their loved ones." The government on Tuesday had rejected internal differences over the contentious AFSPA.

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