Terming the Indian army chief General Bipin Rawat’s statement as “ridiculous” and “arrogant”, the incarcerated chairman of Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) Shabir Ahmad Shah on Saturday said the people of Jammu Kashmir aren’t scared of such intimidations.In a statement issued to press, Shah said the spirit of freedom can never be suppressed by force or such intimidating remarks and the nation that challenged India’s supremacy for the last seven decades cannot be cowed down by any power.“The threatening remarks of General Rawat are the acknowledgement of defeat and reveal his frustration. To ask Kashmiris to surrender is nothing but madness,” Shah said, adding, “Indian army chief must not forget that Kashmiris have passed through very tough stages in their freedom struggle.’Shah added, “If India achieved freedom from British rule, why can’t Kashmiris. The Great Britain was once the lone power in the world but that is now the thing of the past. Similarly, just the name of USSR was enough to scare the hell out of nations but now stands disintegrated into nearly dozen parts. Better is to learn lessons from history before it become too late.”“The dispute of Jammu Kashmir is a reality for which the 18 UN resolutions are a living proof.
Only with the resolution of Kashmir will come peace in the South Asia and all nations will usher into an era of peace, progress, and stability.”Commenting on the statement of NC patron Farooq Abdullah, Shah said the pro-India leader is habitual of making such remarks when out of power.Abdullah has on Friday said Kashmiri youth fighting the government forces “are sacrificing their lives for the freedom of their nation and are not afraid of guns”.“If Farooq Abdullah gets in power, he’ll again speak his ‘bombing’ language. We would welcome if he sticks to the stand of disputed status of Kashmir but we have seen he is frequently changing his colours like chameleon,” he said.Shah said it is due to politicians like Farooq Abdullah that India is succeeding in consolidating its illegal and forcible occupation of Jammu Kashmir.“Even though we are well aware of the major role played by the National Conference in strengthening India’s occupation of Jammu Kashmir but we still keep options open for Farooq Abdullah and his associates to quit the pro-India politics and join the Azadi camp,” Shah added.Meanwhile, a DFP spokesperson has strongly condemned the “unwarranted” attitude of police towards the Kashmir Khawateen Markaz chairperson Zamrooda Habib saying she was participating in a protest programme called by Umat-e-Islami during which SHO resorted to “provocative” act. “Such actions by police are unacceptable,” he said. (CNS)