Mir hails Indian army, attacks Pak troops

Srinagar, Aug 27: The agriculture minister Ghulam Hassan Mir Thursday defended the presence of troops in Jammu and Kashmir saying they had played a major role in the return of peace in the state. The minister went further, saying unlike Pakistan Army which, he said, was bombarding country’s northern areas, the security forces operating in Jammu and Kashmir were working “cautiously.”
“We should give credit to police, army and other security forces for creating an atmosphere of peace in the state. Today we are safely discussing issue in the Assembly because of the role they played in bringing normalcy,” Mir said speaking in the Assembly on discussion on grants for police, planning and other departments under the control of the chief minister.
In an apparent reference to Peoples Democratic Party, Mir said there was a demand for revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act and withdrawal of troops. “These are very sensitive issues and I urge those who raise these demands not to politicize it and don’t play with the emotions of people,” Mir said.
Mir said the coalition government led by Omar Abdullah was already working on the issues. “We need a plan for handing over the responsibility of law and order to police in Jammu and Kashmir. The government is already working on it. But we have to see that the police should be ready to take over the lead role,” he said.
Referring to Pakistan, Mir said when Pakistan government felt that the situation was turning from bad to worse in the stronghold of Taliban militants, “it ordered bombardment.”
“Various areas were under the control of militants in the state but army never bombarded them. There might have been some mistakes by them in handling the law and order situation but there is proper mechanism to address it,” he said.
Mir said neither the state government nor the House can resolve the Kashmir issue.
“We can only play a role of facilitator in resolving the Kashmir issue. We have to talk to the people who are at distance (pro-freedom parties) regarding Kashmir,” Mir said.
Responding to the PDP’s demand that there should be an elected Governor for Jammu and Kashmir, Mir said it was not the solution to the Kashmir problem.
Mir said J&K had an elected Governor and Prime Minister in 1953, still the situation turned bad. “The need is to win the confidence of people and find ways to solve the vexed problem,” he said.
Mir said the state government had no powers to open the traditional routes, including Poonch-Rawalkote, for trade and traffic.
“The state government can only plead with the government of India on the issue. The ultimate decision lies with India and Pakistan,” he said, adding instead of “taking people for ride” the members should try to focus on the “real issue” including unemployment.