PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti tells PARVAIZ BUKHARI that booking stone-pelters under harsh laws would worsen the situation
Photo: JAVED DAR
It is felt you run down Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s government without suggesting how the situation can be improved.
When PDP-Congress coalition government was formed in 2002 we had a worse situation. There was more infiltration, militancy, unrest and alienation. But we adopted a policy of reconciliation. It was called pro-militant, pro-secessionist, but we stuck to that policy and there was a turnaround. Unfortunately, this government seems to be like an extension of the security establishment. This has forced young boys to take to the streets, pelt stones and disturb everything.
Atrocities in Jammu and Kashmir have occurred under all regimes. Why are you so critical of the government?
It was the Chief Minister himself who admitted a year back that he was fortunate because the situation was very good and there was less violence and militancy and he could concentrate on good governance. But today, there seems to be total unrest and alienation. Sixty per cent people voted in the last election [in 2008] because they had certain expectations. Unfortunately, this government has failed to perform. There is total anarchy. A BSF man orders a boy shot, an army person takes another as a [human] shield in Pulwama. And even today, some people, allegedly stone-pelters, can go around in vehicles and an 11-day-old infant gets killed.
Why do you think the situation is deteriorating?
There is a Chief Minister but the government doesn’t have a leader. They are not able to give either good governance or take the political process forward.
What about allegations that the PDP funded and instigated the stone-pelters?
It is like a bad workman blaming his tools. It was Omar Abdullah himself who said it was Pakistan sponsoring these protests. And two days back [Union] Home Minister P Chidambaram gave another reason for this in an interview, saying these protests are a reaction to the atrocities. Now, they are holding us responsible. It is very unfortunate. These allegations are not going to cut any ice. Look at the Chief Minister who has publicly said he has taped conversations of the PDP president. And what he is saying is that I am asking for the release of stone-pelters.‘Can you imagine a CM telling MLAs he won’t release funds since they protested rights violations?’
Is it right to tap the Leader of Opposition’s phonecalls?
That is something he [Abdullah] has to answer.
What can change the current situation?
They book these young kids under Section 121 of the IPC for anti-national activities which can get you life imprisonment and even a death sentence. If you adopt the policy of suppression and force, you are not going to get anything.
Will removing Abdullah from the top seat help?
It is not just about [him]. It is about the whole government because since they went into coalition [with the Congress] there has been no policy, no common minimum programme and no agenda. They are just living from moment to moment. And they just don’t have any tolerance for the Opposition. Can you imagine a Chief Minister telling Opposition MLAs that he will not release any funds for development of their constituencies because they demonstrate against human rights violations?
From Tehelka Magazine, Vol 7, Issue 09, Dated March 06, 2010
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