National Conference President and former J&K Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said that atmosphere is not conducive for holding Panchayat elections in the state.
“There is a cycle of killings going on. We need to first stop these killings, provide people a sense of security and create congenial atmosphere for the elections,” Dr Farooq told Greater Kashmir.
“J&K has seen enough bloodshed, we need to take some measures for peace to prevail,” he added.
“We have the tourist season ahead and if the elections are held, it may hit the tourism sector and the people associated with the industry will continue to suffer,” Dr Farooq said.
“Our party’s stand on Panchayat elections is clear. NC leaders will put forth their views in the forthcoming all party meeting,” he added.
He asked, “When the Government has failed to hold the elections for a single parliament seat in south Kashmir, how can it hold the Panchayat polls in the state?”
“We are not averse to the election but how can people participate in it in this situation. Is it that government wants police and security forces to vote?” he asked.
“We are in favour of decentralization and devolution of powers to grassroots institutions but that is only possible when people participate in the poll process. Elections cannot be held in this scary situation,” he added.
Dr Farooq said that to create a proper environment and peace in the region there has to be a dialogue process with Pakistan. “Hostilities between India and Pakistan are making problems more complex,” he said.
The NC president underlined the need for sustained dialogue between both the countries to seek permanent peace and development in the subcontinent.
He said resolving all outstanding issues across the table in an amicable atmosphere is the only way forward.
Reacting to the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s statement in the Legislative Assembly in which she had said that Armed Forces Special Powers Act can’t be lifted right now, Dr Farooq said, “This party (PDP) never wanted AFSPA to go.
“When they were in the opposition they were raising hue and cry and claiming that they wanted AFSPA to be lifted. Now in power they are telling that it won’t be lifted” Dr Farooq said.
Earlier, Dr Farooq, along with MLA Kangan Mian Altaf Ahmad and Tanvir Sadiq, political advisor to Omar Abdullah, visited Gund to condole the demise of social activist and ex-NC block president Gund late Haji Sheikh Muhammad Yusuf, who passed away last month.