PDP calls for strengthening of democratic institutions in J-K

Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today called for strengthening the democratic and civil institutions in Jammu and Kashmir to pave way for the 'settlement of Kashmir issue' through 'globally accepted means'.

'Democratic space could no longer be squeezed for security concerns. It is important that security concerns are addressed but not without providing a full democratic space to people, where they could run their civil institutions without someone having to breathe down their neck,' Sayeed said while addressing party office bearers from Srinagar parliamentary constituency here.

The former chief minister said laws like AFSPA 'have to go' to realise a credible restoration of democracy in the state.

'Rolling back the legislations like AFSPA is inescapable. PDP has from the very beginning delivered on this front with credit. We (PDP government) had taken up the revocation of AFSPA with the prime minister and to review the law a high level committee was constituted by the central government in 2007 on his initiative.

'But the subsequent events resulted in logjam like most other initiatives that were taken by the PDP-Congress government,' he said.

He said that the party's aim is to pave the way for resolution of Kashmir issue through democratic methods.

'It was fundamental that the people of the state enjoy complete liberties within democratic system as available to other parts of the country,' Sayeed said.

The PDP leader said the role of youth in the coming elections will be crucial in making governments accountable for their performance and securing the individual and collective rights of people.

He added it is the part of the political agenda of PDP that there has to be restoration of trust between people of Kashmir and rest of the country on the basis of shared values of democracy.