Soz advocates idea of troops reduction; though indirectly
By News Agency of Kashmir
Jammu : Rescheduling his visit to the state, union water resource minister Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz arrived here in Jammu on Wednesday, for the first time after he was appointed as president of Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee.
Though it was a hush-hush visit keeping in view the fact that Prof Soz has to accompany AICC chief Sonia Gandhi during her visit to some of the snow affected areas of the state on Friday, the newly appointed JKPCC president was given a warm reception by the party leaders and workers at party headquarter, where Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad was also present.
Later in the day the union minister, while talking to media persons, was seen inclined towards coalition formation. Using the words with care, he said, “I have worked in coalition government and I stand for coalition”.
Responding to the media queries, Prof Soz said that he has come to state of Jammu and Kashmir with a mission. “I see this task as a mission”, he said adding, “I am here to work with love and dedication and I seek cooperation and coordination of my party functionaries to help me out”.
Indirectly advocating the idea of troops reduction the PCC president said, “I am honestly for more space to the local police in the peaceful civilian areas”. He said that incharge of a police station, being a local, can deliver batter than an army colonel heading a unit in the area.
India, he said, has not any threat from the outside forces but it is the internal factors which is hunting the country. “Congress, as a real secular force, is the only party which can tackle the internal problems”.
Reply to another query on autonomy idea of National Conference, Prof Soz said that the autonomy is available in the constitution of India. When he was asked that he was once part of the party which has floated the proposal, he said, “More autonomy can be achieved through dialogue process and no body can stop any one talking about his or her ideas”.
The PCC president also advocated the demand amnesty to youth, who want to shun the path of violence and return to mainstream. When asked he said, “I don’t talk of Salauddin (United Jihad Council chief) but every one who wants to return to mainstream is welcome”.