Monday, Jun 24, 2002
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By Shujaat Bukhari
The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Farooq Abdullah, places his hat on the head of his son, Omar Abdullah, at a ceremony in Srinagar, where the latter took over as National Conference leader. — Photo: Nissar Ahmed
At a grand one-day party convention, attended by over 15,000 delegates and general council members, Dr. Abdullah called it a day and handed over the leadership of the National Conference to his 31-year old son amid thunderous applause. Announcing that he would soon hand over the reins of Government to Omar, Dr. Abdullah said his son would lead the party in the coming elections. Highly critical of New Delhi, the Chief Minister said "unless autonomy is granted to the State, it is not possible to restore peace here.'' He was not making the demand with the elections in mind — it was the demand of the people. Hoping that the guns would fall silent in the Valley one day, he asked the Centre why it had stopped with just a military build-up on the borders. "Agar tum mein dam nahin to fouj kyun le gaye''(if you did not have the strength, why did you take the military there?) He denied reports that he was eying a Cabinet berth at the Centre. "Even if it is offered to me, I will not accept it," he said, adding "I have some other things to do, I have done enough for my country."Talking of autonomy, Omar said it would have to be restored to the State. But he took strong exception to the talk of dividing the State. "We want autonomy and do not want to divide the State, nor will we allow that.'' He regretted that people in Delhi did not want to hear of autonomy. "Why... let me tell them it is not for the minds — it is for the hearts of the people and we should not talk about laws when it is the question of autonomy.'' He referred to the Babri Masjid issue and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's threat and asked "what kind of Government are they running (in Delhi)?'' On a dialogue with separatists, he said "we are never against it.''
Grenade attack
An attempt by militants to direct two rifle grenades towards the Sher-e-Kashmir stadium did not deter the ruling National Conference's new president, Omar Abdullah, from continuing with his speech. Later, police confirmed that the rifle grenades were fired from Buchwara and landed near the Maulana Azad bridge, a km away from the venue. The militant outfit, Al-Madinah, has claimed responsibility.
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