Mustafa Kamal Alleges Army’s Intentions in Kashmir Are ‘Not Pure’
NC Leader Accuses Security Agencies of Hindering Peace in Valley
Says ‘Army Wants to Keep Pot Boiling’ to Retain Its Role in Kashmir
Kamal Questions Timing of IED Recovery, Claims AFSPA Is a Motivation
Calls Congress Untrustworthy; Rules Out Future NC Alliance
Srinagar, May 1, KNT: Senior National Conference leader Dr. Sheikh Mustafa Kamal launched a scathing attack on the Army on Wednesday, accusing it of deliberately obstructing peace in Kashmir to preserve its relevance and powers in the region. In a telephonic conversation with the news agency Kashmir News Trust, Kamal alleged that the Army and various intelligence agencies were responsible for keeping the flames of militancy alive in the Valley.
“Ask them where they found the IED,” Kamal said in reference to a recent Army claim about recovering an explosive device. “When there’s peace, the Army’s role ends. That’s exactly what they fear — they do not want peace to prevail in Kashmir.”
The NC veteran went further, branding the Army and other central agencies as “avowed enemies” of Kashmiris. “They use unrest as a means to suppress people. Disturbances are convenient for them — they allow continued dominance and justify draconian laws like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA),” he asserted.
Questioning the motives behind the timing of the IED recovery, Kamal said that for two years, no such explosive had been found in Srinagar. “Why now, and on a specific day?” he asked. “This is not about safety. This is about ensuring AFSPA isn’t revoked. They will go to any extent for that.”
Blaming the military establishment for “all the mess in Kashmir,” Kamal argued that such actions are intended to send a message to the world that the region remains unstable and unsafe. “Their objective is clear: suppress Kashmiris and deny the reality of improving ground conditions.”
Turning his attention to political alliances, Kamal also took a dig at the Congress party, calling it “untrustworthy” and “a past compulsion.” Referring to the 2008 coalition between National Conference and Congress, Kamal said, “We suffered a lot by partnering with them. That chapter is closed. We will contest the 2014 Assembly Elections independently. We no longer need Congress.”
The statements by the senior NC leader are likely to stir political debate and heighten tensions amid ongoing discussions over the future of AFSPA and the region’s security dynamics. [KNT]
