Examiner Bureau | Srinagar:
Srinagar: National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday questioned the Centre’s silence over the situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), saying New Delhi should publicly raise concerns about the reported hardships faced by people there if it considers the region an integral part of India.
Responding to questions from reporters, Abdullah said he had repeatedly urged United Nations human rights bodies to assess the situation in PoK.
“I have appealed to the United Nations human rights bodies to go there and see the hardships the people are facing, and try to resolve them,” he said. “They keep saying that it is our part. If it is your part, then why don’t you speak about it? Why don’t you say that what is happening there should be stopped? I have never heard them say anything about it.”
When asked about Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti’s apology over her recent remarks and her decision to continue protests, Abdullah declined to comment.
“I have nothing to say about that,” he said, adding, “It’s her job. She can do what she likes.”
Addressing the growing menace of drug abuse among young people, Abdullah called for stronger action against drug traffickers.
“That is exactly why this programme has been organised—to keep the youth away from drugs,” he said. “Stricter action should be taken against those who sell and smuggle drugs. Until tougher action is taken against them, this will continue.”
Commenting on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s alleged remarks that 90 per cent of the 5,000 hotels built over the past six years were illegal, Abdullah defended the expansion of tourist accommodation in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Be thankful they were built. Where would tourists stay when they come here? I have seen the time when tourists slept in taxis, in vehicles, and on the roads because there was no accommodation,” he said. “Be thankful people stood on their own feet. They are not looking for government jobs.”
On the continuing protests by Jammu and Kashmir students at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, Abdullah warned that the agitation would intensify if assurances made to the protesters were not fulfilled.
“If the promises made to them are not fulfilled, if the FIRs are not withdrawn, and if action continues against those who gave them food and water, and their families are harassed, then this movement will only grow stronger,” he said.
Referring to the security crackdown following the Anantnag incident, Abdullah criticised the authorities, alleging that those responsible were not being held accountable.
“You know who the boss is. He doesn’t answer anyone. He is doing all this,” he said.
Abdullah also expressed support for students protesting over an alleged examination paper leak in Bihar.
“Students have risen against it, and God willing, they will take this movement forward,” he said.
