‘PDP-BJP pact a reason for youth joining militancy’
National Conference working president and former J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Monday asserted that a possible reason for “new wave of armed insurgency” in Kashmir “could be the formation of PDP-BJP alliance.”
He was quick to add that militancy first erupted in the Valley “soon after an accord between his father, Dr Farooq Abdullah and the then Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi, in 1987.”
Dr Farooq also said young men who have picked up arms are not in the field for chair or power but “to fight the wrong policies of the present dispensation which has resulted in fundamentalism and radicalization among the youth.”
Talking to reporters soon after launching new membership drive at party headquarters here, Omar said the reports of young educated men joining militant ranks have come to fore, especially from South Kashmir. “This is a danger, undoubtedly. We will sit in the party and discuss about the issue. But the larger responsibility is on the shoulders of the present government. The government should not hide anything on this issue,” Omar said.
On possible reasons for youth joining militancy, Omar said they saw the same wave when Rajiv-Farooq accord took place in 1987.
“The present situation is quite similar to that because of the pact between the two parties having different ideologies. This could be one of the possible reasons behind young men joining militant ranks,” he said. “I can’t speculate much as there may be more to it.”
Seconding his son, NC president Dr Farooq said “a new rebellion by the young men can bring a big typhoon in the State.”
“This is a biggest danger as youth are becoming radicals and fundamentalism is gaining speed. This is happening across India,” he said. “In Kashmir, these young armed youth are not fighting for power or chair, but for the interests of their nation. They want to protect their State from the wrong policies of present rulers.”
Dr Farooq also warned his party men to not think they would be fielded from their constituencies. “Only credible faces would be fielded,” he said. “The membership drive we launched today will test all of you. You can’t befool me anymore by stating that 15 lakh people are with us or 20 lakh people are with us.”
Earlier, addressing party men, Omar castigated the present dispensation for “creating a regional wedge.”
“Now the situation has reached to a stage where officers are being posted on the basis of their religion. Hindu officers are not allowed to be posted in Kashmir while Muslims are not being allowed to work in Jammu,” Omar alleged.
Taking a dig at the Mufti-led coalition government, Omar said it has failed on all fronts. “What has happened to their promises of flood relief, revocation of AFSPA, return of power projects and involving separatists in a dialogue process,” he said.
He said Finance Minister Dr Haseeb Drabu claimed there is no need to go with a begging bowl to Delhi. “The result today is that he has made everybody in J&K as a beggar. Look at the hike in petrol and diesel prices,” he said.
The father-son duo, while starting the party’s membership drive, asked its leaders to ensure success of the drive and rope in as many youth as possible.
Meanwhile, NC’s General Secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar also urged the party leaders to register as many members as possible into the party fold. All senior party leaders were present on the occasion.
