National

Militants urged to announce 'ceasefire'

By Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR MAY 10. The president of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti, today alleged that atrocities on the people by security forces had resumed after the Nadimarg massacre of Kashmiri Pandits and said she would continue to highlight these issues in spite of being part of the coalition Government. She was presiding over the executive meeting of the PDP.

The party adopted a resolution asking militants to announce a ceasefire as "their contribution to the confidence-building measures.''

Ms. Mufti told a news conference that in the initial months of the new Government the situation on the ground had changed and violations of human rights had decreased. "But for the last one month, especially after the Nadimarg massacre, the security forces have panicked and the harassment of the common people has restarted,'' she said.

Asked whether she would agree that State terrorism was continuing, Ms. Mufti said "yes, I do not have hesitation in acknowledging that atrocities are continuing even as we are running the Government.'' I am not going to run away from my responsibility. I fight with my father almost everyday on this issue and have been impressing upon the Government to put an end to excesses while combating militancy,'' she said.

Ms. Mufti, who in the past as the Opposition leader has been in the forefront opposing human rights violations, however, sought time to "overcome" the situation. We have taken up the issue with the Corps Commander and other authorities and are concerned about these issues, she said.

Ms. Mufti, who recently took over as PDP president, said there was no alternative to a dialogue.

As a first step to creating a conducive atmosphere to settle the Kashmir issue, she said the borders should be thrown open so that people across the Line of Control could reach an understanding.

Referring to the killing of three PDP workers in Bijbehara on Friday night, she said "this will not deter us from going ahead with our agenda but these acts are aimed at sabotaging the peace process.''

On her party's plea to militants for announcing a ceasefire, she said "there has to be a feeling of reciprocation.''

On the Hurriyat's role in the peace talks, she said "it is up to them how they want to be relevant. If they want to be part of it or get sidelined.''

The PDP executive meeting, which was attended by the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, and other senior leaders adopted a political resolution reiterating its resolve to pursue its vision of a peaceful, progressive, self-reliant, respectable and confident Jammu and Kashmir.

"Having received a clear mandate from the people of the State in coalition with other partners, the PDP wants to reiterate that there is no route to the resolution of the Kashmir crisis other than one across the negotiating table. The results of elections to the State Assembly are an unambiguous expression of faith by the people in civilised methods of conflict resolution. We are pleased to note that the Government of India has preferred not to consider the elections as an end to problems but has treated it as an opportunity for finding a lasting solution to it.''

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