CPI(M) leader calls for revoking AFSPA

Senior CPI(M) leader and MLA M Y Tarigami today called for the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and asked the Centre to restrict the Army's role to guarding the borders in the state.
Speaking during the discussion over the killing of two civilians allegedly in Army firing in Shopian district on Saturday, Tarigami suggested the Assembly to adopt a resolution in the House asking the Centre to initiate a "serious political dialogue" to resolve the Kashmir issue.
"I would like the chief minister (Mehbooba Mufti) to announce in the House that there is no need for the AFSPA. You are asking for panchayat elections and if the situation has returned to such a level, what is the need for the Army in internal security of the state?" he asked.

Urging the parties to rise above partisan attitudes, Tarigami underlined the need to end the bloodshed in the region instead of scoring political points.
"A serious attempt is being made to seek a security solution to the Kashmir issue, which is essentially and fundamentally a political problem in nature. The House needs to adopt an one-line resolution to ask the Centre to initiate a serious political dialogue," he said.
The CPI(M) leader asked the Centre not to "overburden" the Army and restrict its role to guarding the borders in the state. He also called for an end to the use of pellet guns against the protesters in the valley.

Referring to the appointment of special representative Dineshwar Sharma on Kashmir, he said the Centre must come forward and make it clear what is his mandate.

Meanwhile, the ruling PDP MLA from Shopian, Mohammad Yousuf Bhat in his address accused the Army of resorting to unprovoked firing on the people and demanded stern action against the erring personnel.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for hugging Kashmiris, but, on the other hand, bullets are showered. If you want to hug us, you have to look what is the real issue and why the youth is picking up stones," Bhat said.
"Bullet is not the answer to a stone," he added.

Meanwhile, National Conference legislator Ali Mohammad Sagar said return of peace should be the priority of the government and suggested for holding dialogue with separatists and militants.
"Blame game will take us nowhere. We need to raise above petty politics," he said, adding that the attacks on the minorities in other parts of the country are having a "direct impact" in the Muslim-majority state.
Several other members, including Mian Altaf of the National Conference; RS Pathania of BJP and Bashir Ahmad Dar of the PDP also spoke during the discussion.