NC demands for immediate revocation of AFSPA again

Giving Tripura’s example, National Conference on Saturday sought immediate revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Jammu and Kashmir, saying continuation of the Act was not in sync with the “significant” decrease in violence in the past six years.

On May 27, the Tripura government decided to lift AFSPA from the state, where the controversial law was in effect for the last 18 years to curb insurgency.

The party also called for resumption of dialogue between India and Pakistan for peace in the state.

The demands were made in a series of resolutions passed unanimously by the party at the day long convention, a party release said.

“National Conference demands the immediate revocation of AFSPA from Jammu and Kashmir as was done in Tripura,” a resolution said.

It said the party has always strived for the revocation of the Act and would continue to strive for it till the time it is completely revoked.

“Our party is of firm belief that further continuation of the Act is not in sync with the significant decrease in violence that has been achieved in the past six years. NC working president and former chief minister Omar Abdullah had actively strived for the revocation of the Act and the party shall continue its struggle to get AFSPA revoked,” the resolution said.

Another resolution called for early resumption of dialogue between India and Pakistan, saying “a prolonged diplomatic stalemate between the two countries goes against the common pursuits of peace, cooperation, prosperity and progress in the sub-continent and also endangers the dividends of peace and normalcy in the state”.

“National Conference seeks restoration of talks between India and Pakistan without any further delay. Dialogue is imperative for the resolution of all issues that plague relations between New Delhi and Islamabad,” it said adding, “Jammu and Kashmir is both the worst victim of hostility between the two countries and can be the biggest beneficiary of peace.”

Another resolution sought immediate release of rehabilitation package for the people affected by the devastating floods last year.

“National Conference condemns with great disappointment the criminal and continued neglect of the victims of the September floods by the Peoples Democratic Party-Bharatiya Janata Party coalition government and demands the acceptance of the Rs 44,000 crore Flood Relief and Rehabilitation Package Proposal submitted to the government of India by the previous state government headed by Omar.

“Thousands of flood victims continue to wait for dignified relief, compensation and rehabilitation for the losses suffered in the floods. We demand immediate and comprehensive efforts by the state and Central government to help in getting their lives back on track,” the resolution said.

National Conference, in the fourth resolution, demanded immediate revocation and scrapping of the “anti-youth and unjust” New Recruitment Policy introduced by the PDP-BJP coalition government.

 “This policy is a cruel joke with the educated unemployed youth of the state and puts their future in great peril. The policy robs our educated unemployed youth of the basic rights of dignified employment, job stability and career growth. National Conference will approach the court if the government proceeds with this anti-youth policy. We support the struggle of the educated unemployed youth of the state against this policy,” it said.

Condemning the recent attacks on mobile service providers in Baramulla district of north Kashmir, National Conference demanded immediate arrest of the culprits behind the attacks, which left two persons dead and three others injured.

“The party also demands the immediate dispensation of ex-gratia relief in favour of the bereaved families and that a government job be immediately announced in favour of the next of kin of the victims who lost their lives,” another resolution said.