NC president Farooq Abdullah Thursday expressed hope that the new government at the Centre would do justice with Kashmir and engage in a dialogue with Pakistan.
“I hope that the new government at center will do justicewith the people of Jammu and Kashmir. I hope that the new government at thecenter will follow the policy of reconciliation and rapprochement in the state.We saw how our youth were devoured upon and blinded in the past five years; wehave to have policy in place to look after such people as have been affected bythe conflict. Every time there is confrontation between India and Pakistan, itis our state that comes in the line of fire. It is our state that wouldstraightly benefit from the bonhomie between India and Pakistan.”
Speaking to reporters at the NC headquarters, Farooq thankedhis party leaders, workers and the people of Srinagar constituency for theirsupport.
“I thank (NC vice-president) Omar (Abdullah), our partyleaders and the people of Kashmir, especially the people of Srinagarconstituency – all the mothers, sisters, elders and youth for supporting theNC,” he said.
“This Parliament will not be easy. There are severalimportant issues with respect to JK because we have to fight them on theirintention to do away with the Article 370 and 35A. Another issue is that theywant to divide the Muslims and Hindus in the country; we have to fight that aswell,” the NC chief said.
“We have to fight for the protection of the secular visageof the country. Moreover the mammoth task before us to put up a strong frontagainst such forces as is inimical to the special status of the state. We willspare no effort towards protecting Art 370, Art 35-A. The other enormous taskahead of us is to protect the ideals of the constitution of India.”
Farooq also paid a visit to Asaar-e-Sharief Hazratbal. DrFarooq while paying obeisance at the shrine prayed for peace and prosperity ofthe state. He later visited the last resting place of Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah.