The Hindu : Farooq welcomes decision

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 04, 2003

Other States

Other States - Jammu & Kashmir

Farooq welcomes decision

By Our Staff Reporter

Jammu May 3. The former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Farooq Abdullah, has welcomed the Centre's decision to start a dialogue with Pakistan.

Addressing a function here he said that dialogue was the only solution.

"War leads to nothing but bloodshed and destruction as witnessed during Iraq war. I do not want to see a war in J&K."

He said that his change of policy towards Pakistan was due to the Iraq war. He did not want an Iraq-like devastation in the sub-continent because of the conflict between India and Pakistan. But he quickly added that he had not changed his stand with regard to the proxy-war being waged by Pakistan in the State.

Dr. Abdullah, whose National Conference is part of the ruling NDA at the Centre, accused the Vajpayee Government of not doing "proper homework'' for initiating talks with various sections in the State.

"If you have to hold talks with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, do it. But why should you (Centre) put conditions," he asked.

Dr. Abdullah charged the State Government with indulging in `witch-hunting', charging that the National Conference leaders had been forcibly evicted from Government quarters and their security withdrawn.

"It is all due to the discriminatory policy of this regime that most of the National Conference workers and leaders are exposed to the militants' threats.''

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Other States

Stories in this Section

Farooq welcomes decision

My stand vindicated: Mufti

Govt. must be cautious in dealing with Pak.: Azad

A futile wait