R S Pura (Jammu), Feb 7: Maintaining that he had recommended Forest department daily wager turned counter insurgent, Ghulam Muhammad Mir, for the Padma Shri award, Union Minister Farooq Abdullah today said it was the Centre that decided to honour him.
 “I did recommend him (Mir) for the Padma award. I have recommended various other names. But it is the committee at the Home Ministry that has decided it,” Dr Farooq told reporters soon after launching party’s membership drive from this border town.
 Praising Mir’s role in countering insurgency in the state, Abdullah said his contribution could not be ignored.
 Asked why former Chief Minister and his father Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah was not given such an award, he said, “Please keep Gandhi Ji and Sheikh Sahib out of it. They worked for the nation and not for the awards.”
 Terming the recent deaths of Srinagar teenagers as unfortunate, he recommended strong action against those involved in the incident.
 To a question on increasing incidents of stone-pelting in Srinagar, he said it is being funded to disturb peace and tranquility in Kashmir.
  Welcomes India’s talks offer  
 Hailing India’s offer of talks to Pakistan, he said, “We welcome proposed Foreign Secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan. We hope both the countries will adopt a positive approach during the talks.”       
  The offer is a beginning to break the “deadlock”, he added.
 He, however, said some elements did not want peace and friendship between India and Pakistan.
  To a question, he said, “We should not pre-judge the outcome of the proposed talks.”

Lastupdate on : Sun, 7 Feb 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 7 Feb 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 8 Feb 2010 00:00:00 IST