Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Nov 2: National Conference (NC) president and former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today questioned the “recent surge” in terror-related incidents in Kashmir and said they are aimed at destabilizing the Government.
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While addressing a gathering at Tagore Hall, Dr Abdullah emphasized the importance of capturing militants alive during the Khanyar encounter, which was underway, stating that doing so would reveal the “forces behind them.”
“You see these days, bullets are raging; they should be captured alive to uncover the truth behind this. This is being done to defame us,” he said.
He went on to remark that “the devil is at work,” noting that labourers are being targeted and that “today they are in Khanyar. They want to erase our identity.”
The NC president also described the recently concluded Assembly elections as a “blessing of Almighty,” which he credited with uniting the people of Kashmir and bringing them success.
“People have succeeded, but more challenges lie ahead, which we must face together,” he added.
Earlier, while speaking to the media at his residence, Abdullah demanded an investigation into the encounters and targeted attacks on labourers in Kashmir, suggesting that the incidents could be aimed at destabilizing the Government.
“There’s a need to investigate how these incidents have increased since the new Government was formed. I suspect it may be an attempt to destabilize the Government. Why was this not happening before, and why now? We need an independent inquiry,” he said.
Without naming anyone, the former Chief Minister hinted at efforts to “create a crisis,” reiterating that capturing those involved in encounters alive would bring clarity.
“If they are captured, we’ll understand who’s behind this. They shouldn’t be killed; they should be questioned to reveal the truth. Why hasn’t this happened in previous years? I am concerned,” he remarked.
He assured that the encounters and targeted attacks would not impact Kashmir’s stability, adding, “We will deal with it, and they will not succeed. The people are not in favour of this.”
Abdullah stressed the need to identify those responsible for these incidents. “How is this happening? There must be an investigation. It’s better to catch them and find out if any agency is involved in destabilizing Omar (Government).”
He also reaffirmed the demand for Statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, stating they do not accept Union Territory status and emphasizing that it is time for Statehood to be restored.
“We don’t want to accept the UT status; it’s time for it to end. There is an elected Government in place, and Statehood was promised in Parliament and before the Supreme Court,” he said.
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