Statehood won't end terrorism in J&K, need people's support: Dr Farooq

Jammu, Feb 12: National Conference (NC) president Dr Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday said that even if statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is restored, terrorism will still not end and that it needs peoples support.

Speaking with reporters, Farooq Abdullah, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that the issue of statehood has been there for many years. "Even if statehood is restored and we will get everything, but do people think it will end terrorism here. Those who have been making tall claims that terrorism has ended here, ask them if it is still there or not," he said.

He added that yesterday only two soldiers got killed in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast. "Where did that come from? We need people's help to restore normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir. It is high time we should have peace. Only peace can do something here. Our children are unemployed. How can these issues be addressed when there is no peace?," he remarked.

He also said that pre-poll alliance between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress could have brought different results in the Delhi Assembly elections.

"The spirit of INDIA bloc is still same. But some mistakes have been done in the Delhi. Had there been proper understanding between the AAP and Congress, the results could have been different. We have to meet and these issues need to be discussed," he said.