Kashmiris will never surrender before New Delhi: Farooq Abdullah

Mangalore Today News Network

Srinagar,Sep 08, 2017 : Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Farooq Abdullah warned New Delhi that no matter how much ’atrocities they commit, people in the state will never surrender before them.’

 

"The NIA raids are aimed at creating a turbulent situation in the Valley. I will consider these raids (valid) only if something substantial comes out. If it is just to scare them (separatists), then... I would like to tell the government of India that no matter how much atrocities they commit, people here (in Kashmir) will not sell their ideals," Abdullah told reporters after a visit to Naseembagh mausoleum of his father and National Conference (NC) founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah on his 35th death anniversary.

He asked the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to release separatist leaders and instead probe the "money spent by New Delhi to weaken the NC.’ "The NIA shoud investigate the money spent by the government to fragment the NC," Abdullah, who is also a Member Parliament (MP), said.

The NC leader said that he has no expectations rom Union home minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to Kashmir. "I have no expectation at all. He (Rajnath) will come, will meet as he had done before. He led a delegation of MPs (in Sept 2016). What happened to that delegation and their recommendations? Nothing happened and I expect nothing to happen now,” he said.

Terming the arrest of separatist leaders by the NIA as "tragedy", Abdullah said, "If home minister has come to talk to anybody, then those people (separatists) should be released so that they can tell him (Singh) what they have to tell.”

“I have no expectation at all. He will come, he will meet as he had done before. He led a delegation of MPs (earlier). What happened to that delegation and their recommendations? Nothing happened and I expect nothing to happen now,” said Abdullah, the president of the opposition National Conference.

During his four-day visit beginning on Saturday, Singh will travel to Srinagar, Anantnag, Jammu and Rajouri and meet civil society members, leaders of political and social outfits, business leaders and others, a move seen as a follow-up to the prime minister’s Independence Day speech in which he had reached out to the people of the valley.

Abdullah also said the assault on the State’s special status was a challenge that should unite everyone who is sincere towards the people and is committed to defend J&K’s unique political and cultural identity.

“The assault on Article 35-A is an assault on our soul and our identity and we should all unite to defend our honour. The powers that be are using myths and distortions to support their long-cherished goal of weakening J&K from within but in the end the truth always prevails," he said.

"Article 35-A is not for any one region or religion of the State but is an article of faith and honour for all regions and religions. The party’s outreach and awareness programme is being met with overwhelming response in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions and this is a proof of our unity in standing up for our rights as one State and one people irrespective of our religion, region, caste or creed”, he added.

On the killing of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh in Bengaluru, the NC leader said it was the most tragic event “for us all who want to defend democracy, who want to defend against the communal tendencies that are emerging in the country.”


courtesy:DHNS