Srinagar, 18 June (KNS): National Conference (NC) President and Member of Parliament from Srinagar Dr Farooq Abdullah on Thursday expressed concern over tensions escalated between India and China on Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh asking both countries to show restraint and engage in military de-escalation through dialogue.
According to Kashmir News Service (KNS) Dr Farooq said soft diplomatic channels should be employed to de-escalate brimming tensions on LAC. He said expressed concern over the perilous and worst clashes that resulted in the loss of many lives in a stand-off between Indian and Chinese troops at Galwan area.
“War is no solution; it will only aggravate the predicaments of the people living in south East Asia. World is confronting the worst ever challenge in the face of COVID-19; rather than head locking themselves on border disagreements, both the countries should engage in a profitable dialogue and congregate their efforts to bring long lasting peace to the entire region", NC President said.
He urged media to act responsibly and refrain from adding fuel between the two huge and densely inhabited countries of the region. "I am convinced that the governments of both the countries are aware of the possible repercussions of the fall out between them,” he said.
Party President said that COVID-19 has exposed many lacunae in public health facilities, it is time to invest in the future we want for the people of the world and the region. “The pandemic has also brought to light how closely connected the people of the world are, and how susceptible humanity as a whole is to different challenges ranging from diseases to environmental issues.
COVID-19 crisis has upturned and continues to shake our lives but it has also revealed that nations are better in response to the challenges and issues confronting humanity when attended to collectively. I pray for lost lasting peace to the entire region. I also extend my sympathies to the families of Jawans who have lost their lives on LAC following a deadly face-off with Chinese troops,” he said.
Meanwhile Party President Dr Farooq along with several party leaders met party General Secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar who was released a day before after ten months long incarceration. Sagar was taken into preventive custody on August 5, 2019 hours after New Delhi scrapped Article 370 and downgraded the erstwhile state into two Union Territories (UTs).
Dr Farooq at the occasion welcomed the release of party General Secretary and appealed authorities to release all those lodged in and outside UT jails.
"Those who had been detained after August 2019, were unlawfully caged. I welcome the release of Sagar and hoping that rest detained Kashmiri’s who are lodged in and outside jails also be released forthwith", Dr Farooq said.
According to KNS, those who visited the residence of Sagar and expressed gratitude over his release includes Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, Hasnain Masoodi, Mohammad Akbar Lone, Qaiser Jamsheed Lone, Ghulam Qadir Pardesi, Jagdesh Singh, Showkat Ahmad Mir, Syed Akhoon, Peer Afaq, Imran Nabi Dar and others. (KNS)