Jammu & Kashmir: While the Center is trying to bring the law and order situation in Kashmir under control with deployment of more troops on the ground, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti is trying to spread fear and opposition towards the security forces.
Mufti has called an all-party meet this week to “come together & forge a united response”.
She has reached out to her rival, the National Conference leader, Farooq Abdullah, to call an all-party meeting. Farooq Abdullah is positive to the idea and has agreed to call an all party meeting to discuss the Center’s decision.
In her tweet, Mehbooba Mufti said, “In light of recent developments that have caused a sense of panic amongst people in J&K, I have requested Dr Farooq Abdullah sahab to convene an all-party meeting. Need of the hour is to come together & forge a united response. We the people of Kashmir need to stand up as one.”
However, Farooq Abdullah’s son Omar Abdullah is not much enthusiastic about the all-party meet and has asked it’s important to try to understand from the Central Government about their intentions.
Last week, the Home Ministry ordered 100 companies of Central Armed Police Forces, which include 50 companies of CRPF, 30 companies from Sashastra Seema Bal, and 10 from BSF and 10 from ITBP.
The central government has taken a tough stance against the militants and the security forces are given a free hand to deal with them. This has resulted in the elimination of many hardcore terrorists.
Mehbooba Mufti and Farooq Abdullah fear that the Center plans to drop Article 35A and 370. They feel that the Center’s move to bring in extra security force is a sign that such a plan is underway.
Farooq Abdullah said, “Article 35A & Article 370 should not be removed. It forms our foundation. There is no need to remove it. We are Hindustani but they (Article 35A & Article 370) are important for us.”
The Central government believes that these articles have kept the state behind in development and has bred radicalism. The government is trying to rein in the divisive forces supportive of Pakistan and Islamic fundamentalism.
Mehbooba Mufti’s call for all-party meet is an attempt to thwart the Center’s plans and foment more trouble in Kashmir. Though the people of Kashmir need development and peace, leaders like Mufti and Abdullah have remained adamant against their wishes.