Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, May 30: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said that his Government will achieve its objectives regarding revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of International Buyer Seller Meet here at SKICC, Mufti said that he knows what to do on AFSPA and would achieve objective on its revocation. “I know everything. I know what to do and what not to do. Whatever we have to do, we will do that,” he said.
Chief Minister while responding to a question on Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar’s statement that AFSPA is mandatory if the Army has to be deployed in Jammu and Kashmir or any other State for internal security, said: “Whatever our objectives are, we will achieve them”.
Mufti while downplaying the series of attacks on telecoms and people associated with it in North Kashmir, said that action will be taken against those responsible. “Yes, why would there be no action… When these things happen, they will be taken care of in a normal way,” he said.
Chief Minister said that is a temporary phase and those responsible for it will be taken care of. “If these things (threats and attacks in north Kashmir) happen, it is a temporary phase, it is not a permanent phase.”
Mufti said the people of the State have faced a lot of difficulties and now want to see peace and that such things would not affect the Government’s endeavour to provide a peaceful atmosphere. “People have seen a lot of difficulties. They want to see good times, they want to see peace. They want to earn their livelihood and live with dignity”, he said.
“You will remember when we started Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service, the Tourist Reception Centre here was burnt. Then there was one of our functions in the evening when an electricity receiving station was burnt. It will not affect our way, our endeavour to provide a good atmosphere of peace to the people, (but) we have to fight that,” Chief Minister said.
On hoisting of Pakistani flags in rallies of various separatist leaders, Mufti blamed the media for giving the issue too much hype, but said the law would take its own course. “It is the media which is giving it much hype. They are some small group and it would be taken care of. Law will take its own course,” he said.
Chief Minister said the flags is not an issue for the people of Kashmir.”You have seen the situation. This is not (an issue) of the people. They have suffered a lot especially after the floods. They have other issues to which the government is quite responsive. I do not think there is a need to go much into this,” he said.
Mufti said that Kashmir made goods will be patented. “There are people who are making factory shawls and other items and brand it as Kashmiri products”, he said adding they will be patented so that there is no piracy.
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