Farooq Abdullah calls for statehood restoration

Srinagar, Oct 12: National Conference (NC) President, Farooq Abdullah Saturday called for restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and urged displaced Kashmir Pandits to return home.

“Our first priority will be to unite Jammu and Kashmir and remove the hatred that has been pushed in this election. Statehood is already on the agenda and we are requesting its restoration so that the state can move forward,” he told reporters after participating in Dussehra celebrations here. “The biggest message from this is that lies lose and truth wins. You saw how lies burned and truth rose. This is the lesson from lord Ram.”

On the issue of the return of Kashmiri Pandits, the three-time chief minister expressed hope that they would soon return to their homeland supported by a government initiative.

“I hope our brothers and sisters who left will return and take care of their homes,” he said. “Time has come for their return and there will be a government initiative for this. We care not only for Kashmiri Pandits but for the people of Jammu as well. We want to treat them well so they feel that the NC government is for everyone.”

About the empowerment of Kashmiri Pandits, Abdullah said that they would empower everyone – Dogras, Punjabis, Kashmiris – and that there would be no discrimination.

“Neither I nor my father ever engaged in such practices,” he said.

The NC president also touched upon the unemployment crisis plaguing J&K.

“The biggest issue for our boys and girls is the lack of jobs. Our government departments have a shortage of doctors, nurses, teachers, and our children are ready to fill these positions,” he said.

Commenting on Engineer Rashid’s appeal to release political prisoners, the senior Abdullah dismissed the notion.

“First, he should get himself released before talking about political prisoners,” he said.

The NC chief also said that leaders from the INDIA alliance might be invited to Jammu and Kashmir once the President’s rule is lifted and the political process is reinstated.