Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 10: National Conference president and former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today batted for revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) but only from peaceful locations.
“I think it is the security agencies who have to take a call on removal of AFSPA and they must identify the areas, which were peaceful and where it is not required,” Dr Abdullah told reporters in Udhampur after visiting the residence of Captain Tushar Mahajan, who sacrificed his life for the nation in Sopore encounter while fighting terrorists.
“I feel that AFSPA should be withdrawn but depending upon the situation and places where the Act is not required,” said the former Chief Minister, adding the Act can be withdrawn only from the areas, where peace has returned and its imposition was no longer required there.
He, however, appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to rename the Udhampur Railway Station on Captain Tushar’s name.
“I appeal to both (the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister) to dedicate Udhampur Railway Station on the name of Captain Tushar Mahajan, who has sacrificed his life for the country,” said Dr Abdullah.
On shifting of Indo-Pak World T20 cricket match venue to Kolkata from Dharamsala, Dr Abdullah said: “If we keep thinking like this then I feel that no cricket match will take place between the two countries anywhere.”
The National Conference president favoured better friendly ties between India and Pakistan.
“The two countries must live in peace, which would be in the interest of them as well as people of Jammu and Kashmir,” Farooq said.
Meanwhile, on delay in Government formation in Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Abdullah asked: “what can Farooq Abdullah do if they (the PDP and the BJP) are not forming the Government”.
“Both (PDP-BJP) have numbers and they are still not forming the Government. We do not have numbers, and we can’t do it then what could I do if the Government formation is delayed” ? he asked.
However, on JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar’s statement yesterday that the Indian Army is raping women in Kashmir, Dr Abdullah said, “go and ask him why he is spitting venom against the Indian Army.”
“One who speaks against the Indian Army is not the right man. Action should be taken against him,” said the former Union Minister.
Earlier in the day, Dr Abdullah accompanied by National Conference provincial president Devender Singh Rana visited the residence of Captain Tushar Mahajan and offered condolences to the family.
Tushar had laid down his life along with another Captain and a soldier while fighting with the militants during a gun-battle last month at Pampore in Pulwama district.
Earlier, Dr Abdullah exhorted the party cadre to gear up for big democratic exercise at grass root level, saying massive participation is imperative in the ensuing elections to Urban Local Bodies to seek involvement of people in decision making at local levels.
“National Conference believes in people being the real fountain head of power and success of the party in the upcoming elections will go a long way in realizing this cherished agenda”, Dr Abdullah said while addressing workers at Udhampur, Talwada and Pouni Bharak.
He hoped that young people and women will come forward in a big way and take upon themselves the responsibility of serving the people in their respective areas as per vision and commitment of National Conference. He said the basic level democratic institutions can prove as useful engines of change, if the elected representatives work with a sense of devotion and missionary zeal.
“National Conference has a proven record in this regard”, he said while referring to enviable development undertaken in the three regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, whenever it was bestowed with the responsibility to govern.
Accompanied by Devender Singh Rana, the NC president hoped that the people will identify public spirited representatives who will work with a sense of urgency and commitment to change the landscape of urban and semi urban areas.
“Civic transformation assumes immense significance, especially in the wake of population growth and ever growing congestion”, he added.
Dr Abdullah hoped that the people will make a right decision in the ensuing elections and elect honest and well meaning representatives, who can end the era of despondency and generate new hope.
Without naming PDP and BJP, the former Union Minister regretted over development having been relegated into backburner during past one year and said the state-craft is not to hoodwink public opinion and incite passions but it is about deliverance.
He said the promises made by the myopic political parties proved to be hoax, as a result of which the people are rightly feeling deceived. He said the previous regime failed to gauge public pulse and wored at cross purposes, as a consequence of which the state and the people suffered adversely.
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