Srinagar, Aug 30: The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has regretted Dr Farooq Abdullah’s continued efforts to ridicule the sentiment of people by linking their struggle with power politics.
“National Conference is trying to divert attention from the painful ground situation in Kashmir by accusing the opposition of engineering protests,” the PDP general secretary Muhammad Dilawar Mir and another PDP leader A R Veeri said in a joint statement here.
They said that for some time the NC leaders claimed that the number of casualties in the Amarnath land row was higher than the figure achieved by Omar Abdullah government. “This is unfortunate comparison of bodies of our own youngsters, our own flesh and blood. 
 It seems NC wants to beat even Jagmohan’s record. The latest example is the unprovoked shooting of innocent youth in Maisuma today,” they said.
 “Money can buy luxuries and properties around the world as Farooq knows well but not lives of young people who have been facing bullets of his forces in pursuit of justice” they said.
 “Even though Farooq Abdullah has now lost even the last shred of credibility and public decency and none of his statements carry any weight or significance the PDP finds it necessary to condemn his utterances that could question the sacrifices of the people especially the 64 young men and children murdered by the present government since June alone. By calling the agitating youth as mercenaries even after everybody acknowledged the peaceful, political and just character of protests Farooq is trying to malign Kashmiris in his desperation for power,” they added.
 Mir and Veeri said at a time when serious efforts are needed to address the basic issues in Kashmir through meaningful initiatives, Abdullahs were trying to introduce elements of distraction.
 The PDP has all along been maintaining that transfer of power in the state does not amount to a solution as it was proved that even after the 1975 accord between Sheikh Abdullah and the center had failed to bring permanent peace to the state or the region.
 In fact the compromises made by the NC at the cost of Kashmir’s interests for acquiring or retaining power had played the main role in landing the state into an unending trouble and misery, they said. “Farooq Abdullah and Omar would not realize the responsibilities of power as long as they are carrying on the legacy of their family and party in crushing the sentiments of people here and doing so exclusively now through force” they said.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST