BJP against revoking AFSPA, demands Omar's resignation

SRINAGAR: Demanding resignation of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the state unit of BJP on Monday strongly opposed any move to revoke the Armed Forces Special Powers Act but demanded jobs on compassionate grounds for the kin of those killed in the ongoing unrest in the valley.

"The present crisis in the state which has now entered fourth month is because the state government has totally failed. Omar Abdullah should resign," state vice president of BJP Sofi Mohammad Yousuf told reporters after meeting the all party delegation here.

He said 61 per cent of the people had voted in the 2008 Assembly elections which brought Omar to power and people had a lot of expectations of him.

"However, he has let them down as the youth are back on the roads pelting stones," Yousuf said.

He said BJP opposed any dilution or revocation of AFSPA from Jammu and Kashmir as it is necessary till cross-border terrorism continued.

"Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and army is needed in the state to make every citizen feel secure," the BJP leader said.

He said 103 persons killed during violent protests in the Valley since June 11 were innocent youth, who were misled by the separatists, and the government should take steps for rehabilitation of their families.

"The next of kin of the deceased youth should be given government jobs on compassionate grounds," he demanded.

Yousuf said he also reminded Home Minister P Chidambaram of the Prime Minister's package of 50,000 jobs saying it was high time that it was implemented on the ground.