Anantnag, Jan 12 (KNS): Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah on Saturday asserted that Kashmir is fundamentally a political problem and that only reconciliation and dialogue within the state besides dialogue with Pakistan can afford a way forward.
Addressing a mammoth gathering of party workers and functionaries of district Anantnag at Khanabal in Anantnag Dr. Farooq Abdullah said, “We cannot think of winning hearts of people by unleashing torments on people. The hearts of people can only be won if New Delhi accepts Kashmir as a political issue and re-start a time bound, result oriented dialogue process with all stake holders within and outside state,” he said.
Among others party General Secretary Haji Ali Muhammad Sagar, Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani, south zone president Dr. Bashir Ahmad Veeri, district president Anantnag Altaf Kaloo, Peer Muhammad Hussain, Mushtaq Guroo, Adv Reyaz Khan were also present in the event.
On the occasion many political activists including ex Chairman Municipal Council Anantnag Ghulam Ahmad Thakur from PDP, Abdul Majeed Wani (KAS), AEE Syed Muhammad Shafi, District President JDU Javaid Ahmad Rathar and Farooq Ahmad Ganai joined National Conference and pledged to make party stronger at grass roots.
Dr Farooq while exuding confidence into the party functionaries, workers and delegates said that violence has never been the nucleus of party’s ideology. “If National Conference is voted to power with a strong mandate we will work towards putting a stop to human rights violations in the state. Violence begets violence and the need of the hour is to embalm aggrieved people. I am confident that with Omar Abdullah in vanguard of the forth coming government, people will receive much needed respite from misgovernment, and human rights violations,” he said.
Dr Farooq maintained that if the party is elected with resounding mandate it will put forth a strong front against forces that are contriving to harm state’s identity and its interest. “People have had enough. The south Kashmir areas in particular have been at the receiving end due to sheer arrogance, misgovernment and imprudent policies of former BJP-PDP government,” he said.
Party president said that National Conference will leave no stone un-turned to rise up to the expectations of people. “We as a party owe a sense of commitment to the people of Kashmir. We don’t want our people to suffer,” he said.
Dr Farooq said that he is hoping that a new government at the centre will initiate dialogue with all stake holders. “If New Delhi can be a part of unconditional talks with Taliban, why can’t it initiate an unconditional dialogue in Kashmir? The GOI previously held unconditional talks with different stakeholders in Kashmir during the tenure of late Atal Bihari Vajpayee but unfortunately the tempo could not be maintained,” he said adding that forthcoming government at the centre must initiate a dialogue on J&K both internally and externally. (KNS)