Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Sept 8: Former Chief Minister and Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr Farooq Abdullah, today snubbed separatist Hurriyat Conference by saying that the Centre will not beg before them for talks.
Abdullah, on the sidelines of a function held here to pay homage to his father and founder of National Conference Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah on his 30th death anniversary at Naseembagh graveyard in Srinagar, welcomed the willingness expressed by moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Omar Farooq for resuming stalled dialogue process with the Centre.
When asked about Mirwaiz’s willingness to enter into dialogue process with the Centre, Abdullah said: “It is a welcome development but the government will not come with a begging bowl before the Hurriyat Conference for talks.”
He said: “Hurriyat should initiate the process on their own if they want to resolve the problems of the people. Kashmir will always remain a part of India. Kashmir issue has been there for many years and it cannot be resolved overnight. Resolution of Kashmir issue will take time.”
Mirwaiz had yesterday shown his wiliness to resume stalled dialogue process with the Centre but had kept four riders – withdrawal of troops from Kashmir, repeal of AFSPA and PSA, release of political prisoners and end to human rights violations. He had said that these CBMS if initiated will help in creating conducive atmosphere for the talks.
Abdullah while welcoming dialogue between India and Pakistan said that it will pave way for resolution of Jammu and Kashmir. He said that people of the State have been suffering for over half a century. “The dialogue process between the neighboring countries must continue so that long pending Jammu and Kashmir issue is resolved,” he added.
Farooq hoped that India and Pakistan will initiate confidence building measures, including liberalisation of visa regime and starting banking and communication facilities for cross-LoC trade during the foreign ministerial level talks.
The Union Minister said that time has come to concentrate on development of the State. “We must concentrate on development and at the same time ensure the long drawn conflict in the subcontinent is resolved.” he added.
Abdullah said that tireless efforts and leadership of Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah galvanized the oppressed people of the State to rise against autocracy and injustice. He said the visionary approach, which the late leader adopted won him accolades not only during his times, but is cherished even, after around three decades of his death.
Terming Sheikh Abdullah as a great revolutionary, Farooq said when the sub-continent was engulfed in communal flames following partition, it was late Sheikh’s resolve and determination in communal harmony which prompted Mahatma Gandhi to proclaim that he saw ray of hope coming from Kashmir during those tumultuous times.
Several Cabinet Ministers including Abdul Rahim Rather, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Qamar Ali Akhoon, Mian Altaf Ahmed, Nasir Aslam Wani and Javed Ahmed Dar attended the function. Besides the Ministers, NC leaders, legislators and party activists were also present.
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