“Better late than never, but only if it isn’t…”, Mehbooba on Amit Shah’s AFSPA revocation, troops withdrawal statement

Srinagar, Mar 27: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday termed Union Minister Amit Shah’s statement regarding AFSPA revocation and withdrawal of troops from Jammu and Kashmir as important part of party’s Agenda of Alliance (AoA) which according to her was wholeheartedly agreed upon by BJP in government formation after 2014.

Mehbooba said that one can only hope that Government at the Centre will fulfill its commitment at least in this case since it would bring a huge relief to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Taking to micro-blogging site X (formerly Twitter), Mehbooba said: “PDP has consistently demanded the revocation of draconian AFSPA along with a gradual removal of troops. It also formulated an important part of our Agenda of Alliance wholeheartedly agreed upon by BJP. Der aayee durust aaye. Better late than never but only if it isn’t jumlebaazi like generating two crore jobs every year or empty promises of depositing 15 lacs into bank accounts”.

She added, “One can only hope that they fulfill their commitment at least in this case since it would bring a huge relief to the people of J&K”.

She further added, “To walk the talk perhaps MHA can start by releasing journalists & thousands of young Kashmiri boys currently languishing in jails without any charges or prosecution”.

Pertinently Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said the Centre will consider revoking Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act from Jammu and Kashmir and that it has a roadmap to withdraw troops from the Union Territory.

In an interview to Kashmir based news channel, Shah said that the government will surely consider revoking AFSPA from Jammu and Kashmir in the future. “The situation is getting normal and we are speedily considering on revoking the AFSPA from Jammu and Kashmir and a state of change is being considered,” he added.