Srinagar: Stating that Tassauduq Mufti’s statement represents emotion and pain Jammu and KAshmir, ruling PDP government on Saturday thanked coalition partner for “support” in Kathua rape and murder and termed it as “confidence building measure”.
The PDP had convened a meeting which was held under the chairmanship of party president and chief minister Mehbooba and party ministers, MLAs, MLS and senior leaders participated in it.
“We took review of overall situation. We discussed what we gained, what we lost during three years of coalition with BJP,” Senior PDP leader and the government spokesman, Naeem Akhtar told reporters after the meeting.
“We appreciate BJP for support, PM, Home Minister, Amit Shah and Ram Madhav ji. They have taken resignation from two ministers whose role according media has not been positive. it is in itself a confidence building measure and if PDP and BJP keep on resolving issues in the same manner, there won’t be any substitute to this alliance,” he said.
When asked what action PDP had sought actiona gainst two BJP Ministers who had sided with Hindu Ekta Manch, Akhter said,”Aap Ko Aam Khanay Say Gharaz Hai, Paed Ginnay Say Nahin” thus, avoiding a direct answer.
Two Ministers, Industries Minister, Chander Prakash Ganga and the Forest Minister Lal Singh resigned on Friday as objections were raised over their participation in a rally in support of the accused in the Kathua rape and murder case on March 1.
Flanked by PDP spokesman Rafi Ahmad Mir and others, Naeem said: “We feel that the party will fail in its duty if we don’t express our gratitude to entire people of our great country, members of civil society and media of our country. We expect same response of the country irrespective of the party affiliation, irrespective of ideological affiliations, to other wounds, the uncertainty in our youth, the issues of our youth, the political issues will be looked in from humanitarian angle and entire nation gets together and help heal our wounds, support our government.”
He added: “Our party wants J&K that the renewed emotional bound that has got created between J&K and country because of Asifa. We want that the way entire country has identified with us, this bound gets strengthened. The people in our country need to realize that ghosts and enemies don’t live in Kashmir we can take the process of reconciliation forward.”
Asked about time frame in culmination of trial, the works minister said: “We will try to seek justice for Asifa as soon as possible and that perpetrators are punished. Our state will also bring a law for capital punishment to those raping children.”
Regarding demands shifting of case from Kathua, he said: “The case is monitored by Jammu and Kashmir high court and if need is felt, state in coordination with the high court will take all measures for uninterrupted and unobstructed justice in the case. We also appreciate the way the investigation has been conducted.”
Asked by Tassauduq Mufti’s statement, he said: “the statement represents emotion and in fact pain of this place. As I said the solution to the pain is same solidarity by the country as has been in the case of Asifa. Addressing the pain of Jammu and Kashmir is essential and we hope entire country is with us.” In an interview to a national newspaper, Tassaduq Mufti said: “The two parties (PDP and BJP) have ended up being partners in a crime for which an entire generation of Kashmiris might have to pay with their blood.”
