National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah on Friday travelled to Sabjiyan Village, close to Line of Control in Poonch, and expressed solidarity with the ceasefire violation suffering border people.In a statement to KNS a spokesman of the NC said amid the roar of mortar shelling, the worried but enthusiastic people welcomed Dr Abdullah by singing traditional Kashmiri lores and beating drums. Moved by their sentiment, he told the suffering dwellers, “I have nothing to offer you except sharing your pains”. Taking stock of the situation, Dr Abdullah wondered that while the hapless people were suffering, the governments in New Delhi and Srinagar were showing no signs of concern over their plight. He noted with dismay the complaints made by the suffering people that the government did not even arrange for shifting of the injured to hospitals, least to visit them or provide any assistance.
“They have all the necessary wherewithal to travel to border areas in Poonch and Kathua, to take stock of the situation and to see for themselves how badly the people were suffering due to shelling”, he said, asking where has that chest beating gone which all the BJP leaders, from top to bottom, were demonstrating during electioneering”, he observed while interacting with the villagers. Abdullah expressed solidarity with the suffering border people and said he appreciates their pain and anger. He said the people were yearning for peace, which is why they wanted good neighbourly relations between the two neighbouring countries. Pakistan should understand and appreciate this and help in diffusing the situation, as the people cannot be allowed to become fodder of mortars and shelling all the time. “There has to be an end somewhere, as violence and hostility is no substitute to peace”, he added.
He also enquired about the condition of those injured due to shelling and to take stock of damages caused. He interacted with the terrified people, lauded their courage in braving the situation and expressed solidarity of his party with them at this crucial juncture.Provincial President Devender Singh Rana and Provincial Youth National Conference President and former MLA Ajaz Jan were among the prominent leaders who accompanied Dr Abdullah to the shelling hit village.