Putting the onus of improving the situation in the Valley on the Centre,moderate Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq today said it should expedite steps to implement the amalgam's four-point formula and initiate tripartite talks for resolving the Kashmir issue. "It is up to the government of India to improve the situation in Kashmir. It will improve only if the government revokes Armed Forces Special Powers Act,Public Safety Act and similar draconian laws,withdraw troops,remove security bunkers from cities,towns and villages and release all prisoners including recently detained youth",Mirwaiz told the Friday congregation at the Jamia Masjid in old city. Referring to the recent statements of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh,Home Minister P Chidambaram and different leaders in Parliament during a debate on Kashmir,Hurriyat's moderate faction chief said,"This is not the time for making statements,it is time for action." "If you are interested in normalising the situation in Kashmir,you must initiate action to implement the four-point proposals and set in motion the process for tripartite talks involving Pakistan for the resolution of Kashmir issue," the Mirwaiz said amidst pro-freedom slogans from the audience. Noting that the tension gripping the Valley will not ease by clamping curfew,detaining leaders and youths,the Hurriyat Chairman said New Delhi should accept the stark reality that people of Kashmir,especially the youth,are up in arms and want resolution of the Kashmir issue. Referring to accusations that protestors are hooligans,goons and terrorists,the Mirwaiz said nearly five lakh Hindus visited Amarnath shrine over the past two months at a time when the Valley was on the boil but no one was hurt. "While Kashmiris are being killed,they ensured that Amarnath pilgrims are safe," he said. Referring to his meeting with a Sikh delegation,he appealed the people to form "coordination committees" comprising both Muslims and Sikhs for the welfare of both the communities.
