Repressive measures, arrests won’t yield any result: Dr. Farooq

Srinagar, Mar 08 : Former chief minister and National Conference (NC) patron, Dr. Farooq Abdullah on Friday said that repressive measures and arrests in Jammu and Kashmir won’t yield any results, saying that dialogue is the only way to resolve issues.
The party president while addressing a gathering after former IGP Shafkat Ali Watali joined National conference said, “Arresting people will not resolve anything in a sensitive state like J&K where situation is always on the boil. Such measures will not help in creating a peaceful atmosphere here. It is only dialogue that holds the way out.”
Dr. Abdullah added that repressive measures won’t prove effective to normalize situation in Kashmir. “Banning socio-religious out fits also won’t help. During Jagmohan’s time JeI was banned, their schools and institutions were ceased. What was then governor able to achieve by banning JeI? Eventually they had to hold parleys with them. It is therefore reconciliation and rapprochement only that will solve all the contentious issues,” he said.
Lashing out at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Dr. Abdullah asserted that the ruling party is trying to polarize the electorate in the country in view of forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, saying “such a tendency will prove detrimental to the unity and integrity of the country.”
Dr. Abdullah who is also Member of Parliament said, “BJP is trying to create a rift between different communities. Such a trend will prove detrimental to the pluralistic ethos of our country. India belongs to all and we all have to live in peace and harmony with each other.”
“Minorities in the country are feeling alienated and threatened more than ever. It’s for the PM to address these concerns immediately and put a sense of security among all,” he added.
Expressing concern over the deteriorating India, Pakistan relations, Dr. Abdullah said, “It is for India and Pakistan to maintain amiable atmosphere among themselves. It is our state which becomes the battle field for both the countries. People of our state have to suffer tribulation in view of increased animosity between India and Pakistan.”
He added it is high time for both India and Pakistan to find a solution to the protracted political issue of J&K by giving autonomy to J&K on either sides of the divide.
Meanwhile, NC Vice President and former chief minister Omar Abdullah who was also present on the occasion welcomed new entrant, Watali in the party fold, saying, “I am sure that the party will benefit from the administrative experience and acumen of Watali. I welcome him into the party.”
Among others NC General Secretary Haji Ali Muhammad Sagar, Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani, State Secretary Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan, North Zone president Muhammad Akbar Lone and YNC vice president Ahsan Pardesi were also present.
Shafkat Ali Watali while reposing faith on the party leadership vowed to make party stronger at grass roots. (KNS)