Expressing grave concern over the volatile situation on the Line of Control and the International Border coupled with the continued unrest in Kashmir, National Conference President and former Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday said the primary victims in such situations remain the people of the state, both in the hinterland and across the Valley.“There is no substitute to peace, and both India and Pakistan understand that wars cannot solve political issues. Political issues have to be resolved amicably and through a meaningful and credible political process”, Dr Abdullah said while addressing public meetings at Sunderbani and Rajouri during the first leg of his three-day tour of border districts of Poonch and Rajouri.He recalled the peace-dividends of the ceasefire agreement reached between the two neighbouring nations during the tenure of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and said he saw no reason why that experiment and spirit cannot be implemented now. “How long shall we remain in the state of animosity and hostility?”, he asked.The National Conference President was accompanied by General Secretary Mr Ali Mohammed Sagar, Additional General Secretary, Dr Sheikh Mustaffa Kamal, Provincial President Jammu Mr Devender Singh Rana and other senior functionaries.
Dr Abdullah referred to the unimaginable sufferings caused to border dwellers due to dislocation from their homes and hearths in the wake of shelling and cross LoC firing, stating that tragically this has become a routine since the past few years. “The dislocation brings with it the trauma of deprivation and disempowerment, as farmers cannot harvest their crops, economic activity gets paralysed, and a fear psychosis engulfs everyone while children are deprived of their dreams.”, he observed while praying the current turbulent situation is de-escalated without any further delay.
Dr Farooq Abdullah made a passionate appeal to further strengthen the legacy of amity and tranquillity in the State. Without naming any political entity, he cautioned people against nefarious attempts made to divide people on the basis of region and religion.“Jammu and Kashmir has been, is and will continue to remain a single entity”, he said and called upon the National Conference cadre to work with dedication and commitment to meet various challenges that the State is confronted with. “On the bedrock of our legacy, it is our duty to promote amity and brotherhood, which the party has upheld and nurtured during the most trying circumstances in our history. Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist and Christian unity has been at the core of the National Conference’s political philosophy and this has to be maintained at all costs”, he said. (CNS)