Minister of State for Home, Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo today dismissed the statement of Mani Shankar Aiyar where he had castigated the state police for killings in 2008-2010 unrests. He said such statements by the leaders were aimed at demoralising the state police.Police is part and parcel of the state and its people. It is his (Aiyar’s) personal opinion and makes no difference”, said Kichloo while talking to 5dariyanews and added that Police has been playing an effective role in the state.Holding the central government responsible for hanging of Afzal Guru, he hailed the police for handling the crisis emanating out of the hanging. “Police did a commendable job in handing post-hanging situation and expressed maximum restraint while handling protests and stone pelting. It is the police that took the wrath on itself, otherwise the situation could have taken heavy toll on life and property”, he said.He also dismissed Aiyar’s statement in which he had defended continuation of AFSPA in the state. “The process to revoke the act should be started forthwith. It has remained in force for far too long and it is high time that the process beings. How long will they continue with it as situation has vastly improved in the state”, he added.National Conference Additional General Secretary, Dr Mustafa Kamal slammed Mani Shankar Aiyar for his statement holding police responsible for killing of youth in 2008 to 2010 uprisings in the valley.
Terming the statement as unfortunate, Kamal said, “It is an effort to malign the image of police of who are otherwise doing their job nicely. We are proud of our police force that has played an important role and are replacing army”, he said adding the statement was aimed at creating an excuse for the army to stay put in the valley. He said certain elements in Delhi were also advocating continuous enforcement of AFSPA and using it as a weapon for continuing presence of army in the state.Reacting on Aiyar’s statement with regard to people feeling that they are being rules by army and police, CPI (M) state secretary M Y Tarigami while hailing Aiyar for endorsing reality said the congress leader should convey such feelings to Congress leadership in Delhi ‘who are at the helm of affairs’. “They should take measures on ground to dispel the notion of people”, he added.Awami National Conference, Muzafar Shah said that although Aiyar has endorsed the reality today ‘however the ANC has been raising the issues for a long time’. On the issue of AFSPA, Shah said, “The authority to revoke AFSPA lies with the state government and it would be wrong to ask the central government to take measures on this front”, he said adding that the leaders should express the same sentiments in Delhi where according to him they change their tone.State Congress Chief Saifuddin Soz and People’s Democratic Party President, Mehbooba Muft, however, declined to comment on the statements on Mani Shankar Aiyar on various issues relating to the state