Srinagar, Oct 21 (KNS): Seeking restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, release of political prisoners and youth, Chairman People's Democratic Front and former Minister Hakeem Mohammed Yaseen on Thursday urged the Home Minister Mr Amit Shah to walk the talk on Prime Minister's assertion to bridging the gap between New Delhi and J&K.

"J&K is craving for peace and flourishing of democracy which cannot be achieved unless a big initiative is taken in terms of Confidence Building Measures to satiate urges and aspirations of the people", Hakeem Yaseen said in a statement.

The Former Minister hoped that the Home Minister will announce during his upcoming visit to Srinagar the release youth and political prisoners on immediate basis, restoration of statehood. This is imperative for ending the spell of uncertainty and the sense of deprivation which engulfed the people after the downgrading of the state as a union territory, he added 

"Restoration of the statehood will be biggest CBM for J&K people", the former minister said.

He said the Home Minister should also review and assess the feedback of the Union Ministers' recent visit to the Valley and take steps for plugging the bottlenecks in execution of development works and implementation of various schemes. The development process is needed to be expedited in view of the limited working season, he added.

Expressing concern over continued detention of youth and polical activists on filmsy grounds, Hakeem Yaseen demanded release detenues detained before and after the recent civilian killings in Kashmir after a thorough review of the charges on which they have been leveled on them. He also urged the Home Minister to take a strong note of the mass frisking of youth and police seizing their motor bikes and vehicles in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir valley and direct the police and paramilitary forces not to harass people unnecessarily. 

Calling upon the Home Minister to immediately revoke the decision of allowing purchase of agriculture land to non agriculturists, Hakeem said agriculture land is used by agriculturists for earning their livelihood and as such it's purchase to non agriculturists should be banned immediately. (KNS)