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Only dialogue with J&K people will bring normalcy: PDP

Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party headed by former Union home minister Mufti Mohammad Sayed reiterated that only unconditional dialogue with the people of Kashmir would help to restore normalcy in the state.

A 17-point resolution adopted during the one-day party convention here today said that bullet for bullet is no answer to the present turmoil in the state. It said the only way to restore normalcy is to hold unconditional and meaningful dialogue with the people of Kashmir, particularly the youth.

Blaming the Centre and state governments for present situation, the PDP expressed concern over increase in militancy in the past few months.

The speakers, including Mufti, alleged that ruling National Conference government headed by chief minister Dr Farooq Abdullah has failed on all fronts.

They said after the 1996 elections, people in the valley hoped the NC government could solve their problems. But he alleged, custodial killings, rape, torture continued without any check and all developmental work was at a standstill.

He said state government is spending tens of millions of rupees on unproductive schemes while people who suffered due to floods were not given any help.

He said the recent attack at the army cantonment and the civil secretariat has contradicted the state government claim that normalcy has returned in the valley.

Mufti said the recent increase in militancy was due to wrong policies of the Centre and state government.

The resolution adopted at the end of the convention demanded unconditional and immediate release of leaders of all-party Kashmir Hurriyat Conference and other political parties besides innocent youths detained in different jails and interrogation centre in and outside the state.

The resolution further demanded that immediate measures should be taken to stop custodial killings, rape, torture and other human rights violations.

Expressing concern over the number of unemployed youths in the state it said there is every possibility that these youths may join separatist organisations if immediate steps were not taken to provide employment.

The resolution said the state needed a broadbased industrial policy besides need to provide every help to promote tourism, fruit industry and saffron growers.

PDP believes that genuine demands of government employees, teachers should be accepted and efforts should be made to improve education system in the state.

It also blamed the government for destruction of vast forest area by illegal felling of trees. And not taking steps to improve the condition of the Jhelum river and its tributaries.

Demanding immediate construction of damaged bridges across the valley, the resolution said people particularly those who are ill are facing problems in the absence of proper road communication.

The resolution also demanded that immediate steps be taken for the rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants.

The resolution appeals to all like-minded parties to come forward and help restore normalcy in the state.

It said the PDP would continue its struggle for the basic democratic rights of a common man and also against innocent killings and rape in the state.

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