PDP to stage protests in every district headquarter in J-K

She said her party will stage peaceful protests at every district headquarter of the state on Wednesday,pressing for its demands,including a resolution to the Kashmir issue.

“Among our other demands are punishment to those security forces personnel involved in killing of 115 persons during the summer unrest,release of all political detenues,withdrawal of troops from civilian areas and revocation of armed forces special powers act,” she said.

Mehbooba said her party had chosen to remain silent over the past three months,hoping that concrete steps will be taken to reach out to the people and resolve the problem.

“We thought steps will be taken to implement the eight point package announced by the Centre but the situation on the ground has worsened. The main point in the package was the release of political detenues and students but while those arrested continue to be in jails,more people are put behind bars every day.”

Asked about the work of interlocutors who arrived on the fourth visit to the state today,Mehbooba said providing relief to the people was more important than the mechanism that delivers it.

“We were hopeful that all-party delegation would have briefed the central government about the ground situation in Kashmir and steps would be taken accordingly to redress the problem. However,there has been no change in the situation till date,” she said.

On hoisting of the tricolour at Lal Chowk on Republic day last year,Mehbooba said it was a fixed match between BJP and ruling National Conference as the former was issueless and the latter trying to divert attention from real issues.

“It is a fixed match between BJP and National Conference. They have been partners before and they are helping out each other now,” she alleged.

Asked if she was in favour of hoisting the national flag at clock tower in Lal Chowk on January 26,this year,the PDP president evaded a direct reply.

“The highest number of national flags are hoisted in Jammu and Kashmir particularly in the Valley. Every security forces camp and bunker has a tricolour hoisted,” she said.