SRINAGAR: Former chief minister of Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK) and National Conference chief Dr Farooq Abdullah has stressed India to rationally come up with a political, not military, solution to the Kashmir dispute before it loses the valley.
“Violence and loss of lives during the Srinagar by-poll are a tragedy and a failure of the government of the day,” Abdullah said during an interview with Indian media.
Abdullah, who is the former chief minister, and is also contesting the state by-elections from Srinagar said that the Indian government failed to provide security to the people of occupied Kashmir.
Abdullah said, “Why am I playing with fire? Is that not true? Are the stone pelters fighting for MP-ship or MLA-ship or some ministerial post? Wake up, before it is too late.”
Upon being asked whether he should be bridging the gap between India and Kashmir as opposed to endorsing freedom, he retorted, “Sometime ago, a parliamentary delegation came to Kashmir under the leadership of the home minister. The delegation was told that we will talk to the youth and all the stakeholders. Have they done so, in a single step, in the last two years? Why do you blame me?”
“Wake up, wake up. The situation is quite bad, and don’t tell me Pakistan is not a party to this problem. Whether you like it or not, you have to talk to Pakistan. If you want to beat the threat of the terrorists, then you better start talking now,” he said responding to the allegation he was stirring the pot to get votes.
Abdullah stressed that it was time to mend fences, and control the present problem. “Let’s not burn, let’s talk to the youth, Hurriyat, [and] other leaders and come to a solution,” he said. He continued, “You have 8 people dead, and God knows how many injured. How long will you keep on doing this? You think its all law and order? Or, you think by development you can change the mind of people?”
“You are losing Kashmir. You better wake up, and start thinking on not a military solution, but a political way. And come down from your high horses.I am seeing a very bad situation. The youth is on boil. Which I have not seen before,” He responded when asked why he was catering to the separatist sentiment now when he chose to spoke differently when in power.
At least 12 civilians were martyred and over a hundred injured over the past two days in incidences of poll violence in Kashmir. Situation remains tense in Kashmir.
