National Conference stands with Hurriyat for right cause: Farooq Abdullah

SRINAGAR: National Conference patron Farooq Abdullah on Monday extended support to Hurriyat Conference, asking the separatist grouping to stay united for the “right cause” and never consider his mainstream party as an enemy.

The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to resolve Kashmir issue and for that both India and Pakistan have to resume the dialogue process.

He said the people of the valley have been fighting for their right since the killing of militant Burhan Wani on July 8 and that nobody can suppress this fire until justice is delivered to the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

Abdullah, who once advocated bombing Pakistan, has in his recent public appearances batted for resumption of India-Pakistan dialogue, saying that borders can never be changed.

“Prime Minister of India wants to resolve Kashmir issue somehow…Both countries have to show restraint on border as Kashmiris are suffering on both sides,” Abdullah said, addressing party workers at the mausoleum of his father and former PM of Jammu & Kashmir, Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, on his 111st birth anniversary on the outskirts of Srinagar.

“They cannot suppress you. This fire will not douse,” Abdullah said. “NC workers should not remain aloof from this movement. NC has always fought for this state. We have gone to jail,” he said.

In 2000, the ruling National Conference led by Abdullah had passed a resolution in the state assembly seeking restoration of the constitutional situation in the state to its pre-1953 position.

“I can never be antinational, but let’s admit that Kashmir is an unresolved issue since 1948. It is pending in the United Nations Security Council and Simla Agreement says that as well,” he said.