Mirwaiz Umar Farooq demands complete demilitarisation of J&K

SRINAGAR: Lauding the announcement of partial revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Jammu and Kashmir, Moderate Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq today demanded complete demilitarisation of the state.

"Today government has decided that the law ( AFSPA) will be removed from some parts of Kashmir. Even though All Parties Hurriyat Conference welcomes this approach, this is not an issue of a district or a region. If you really want change in the situation, you should begin military withdrawal from entire Jammu and Kashmir," Mirwaiz said addressing a Friday congregational gathering at Jamia Masjid here.

He said demilitarisation will pave the way for a situation where solution can be sought through dialogue.

The Hurriyat leader said though these confidence building measures can bring a respite from the situation, it cannot be a political solution to the Kashmir issue.

Mirwaiz, while commenting on Pakistan's decision to grant India the status of Most Favoured Nation, said Kashmiris always wish the two neighbouring countries come closer.