All India Anti-Terrorist Front (AIATF) Chairman Maninderjeet Singh Bitta today demanded scrapping of article 370 to restore peace in Jammu & Kashmir.
"There should not be any place for article 370 in J&K as terrorist activities have increased in that state due to special autonomous status it enjoys under this provision. If we want to bring back peace there then article 370 should be abolished," Bitta said.
He was speaking to reporters here on his way to Mumbai after visiting Pranshala near Upleta town in the district.
"Article 370 is the biggest reason for the rise in terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. Though our army is strong enough (to contain militancy) but our country's policy to fight against terrorism is improper," Bitta said.
Bitta, formerly associated with Youth Congress, said "political terrorism was more dangerous then jehadi terrorism".
Responding to a query on Gujarat, Bitta said, "Gujarat has shown the path of development to the country but certain sections of the society and some political parties are defaming the state".
"There could be a well planned conspiracy to defame Gujarat over a couple of issues like fake encounters," he said, adding genuine encounters are necessary to control criminals.
"A large number of encounters had taken place in states of Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab to bring peace back then why only Gujarat is being singled out," Bitta said.
