The Hindu : Omar cautions RSS, VHP not to play into Pak. hands

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 08, 2002

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Omar cautions RSS, VHP not to play into Pak. hands

New Delhi July 7. The newly-appointed president of the National Conference, Omar Abdullah, today asked organisations such as the RSS and the VHP not to play into Pakistan's hands by favouring the division of Jammu and Kashmir, as such a stand would have international repercussions.

``We have to be very cautious while dealing with Jammu and Kashmir. Such statements implied that the RSS and VHP were actually following the two-nation theory of Mohammed Ali Jinnah,'' Mr. Omar Abdullah told PTI here. He said such statements about the division of the State should be viewed as a conspiracy against the sovereignty of the country.

He said his party had been struggling for the past six years to bring normality to the State and such statements did not augur well for peace.

On the autonomy demand, he said, ``my party is firm on the idea of more powers to the State. We are not rigid to a particular position like pre-1953 but would prefer a healthy discussion on the issue with the Centre that could eventually lead to a solution.''

Referring to human rights violations in the State allegedly by security agencies, he said he was in touch with the State administration and police on the issue. ``Human rights is a major issue before my party and we will leave no stone unturned to address it,'' he said and added that ``some plans are being worked out, which will be shared with the press once they are formalised.''

Asked whether he was planning to revamp the party and enforce some organisational changes, he said, ``as of now nothing drastic is going to take place but possibly some disciplinary action might be taken against some party workers.''

About growing threats to his life from Pakistan-backed militants, he said, ``the National Conference is a party, which has seen its cadres being wiped out by militants off and on. I am not scared of that. I will continue to lead my workers from the front.'' He refused to comment on reports about his taking over as Chief Minister or his father moving to the Union Cabinet and said, ``I don't subscribe to rumours. When things take shape, it will be known to the world.'' — PTI

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