Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Mehbooba Mufti emphasized the importance of Union Minister Amit Shah’s recent statement regarding the revocation of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) and the withdrawal of troops from Jammu and Kashmir. Mufti stated that these actions were an integral part of the party’s Agenda of Alliance (AoA), which was mutually agreed upon by the BJP during the formation of the government after the 2014 elections.
Expressing hope that the central government would fulfill its commitment, Mufti highlighted the potential relief such actions could bring to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. She conveyed these sentiments via the micro-blogging site X (formerly Twitter), reiterating the PDP’s consistent demand for the revocation of AFSPA and the gradual withdrawal of troops.
However, Mufti cautioned against empty promises, referencing previous pledges such as the generation of two crore jobs annually and the deposit of 15 lakhs into bank accounts. She emphasized the need for genuine action rather than mere rhetoric.
Mufti also urged the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to demonstrate its commitment by releasing journalists and thousands of young Kashmiri boys currently held in jails without charges or prosecution.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had recently indicated that the government would consider revoking AFSPA from Jammu and Kashmir, stating that a roadmap for troop withdrawal from the Union Territory was under consideration. In an interview with a Kashmir-based news channel, Shah acknowledged the improving situation in the region and affirmed the government’s commitment to address these issues.
