Kashmir is landlocked; independence not an option: Farooq Abdullah
Member Parliament from Srinagar and National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said that independent Kashmir was not a reality as “we were landlocked and surrounded by nuclear powers China, Pakistan and India”.
“Farooq Abdullah says that there is nothing like freedom here. We are landlocked. On one side we have China, Pakistan on the other side and India on the third side. All three of them have atom bombs. We have nothing except Allah’s name. Those who are talking about Azadi are talking wrong,” he told journalists on the sidelines of a function at the party headquarters in Srinagar.
Abdullah said that India betrayed Kashmiris. “India didn’t treat us well. India betrayed us. They didn’t recognize the love with which we chose to join them. That is the reason behind the current situation in Kashmir,” he said.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister also renewed the demand for restoration of internal autonomy of the state. “Internal autonomy is our right. They should restore it. Only then the peace will return.”
He reminded the Centre of the Instrument of Accession signed by the Maharaja with the Government of India. “You don’t remember the instrument of accession and claim the other side of Kashmir administered by Pakistan. If that side is our then you should talk about the accession too. Why do you forget the conditions on which we have acceded,” said Abdullah.
He said that Pakistan-administered Kashmir (PaK) belongs to Pakistan. “I tell them in plain terms – not only to Indians but also to the world – that PaK belongs to Pakistan and this side to India. This won’t change. Let them fight how many wars they want to. This won’t change,” said Abdullah.
Abdullah also refused to react to the Hurriyat’s demand of plebiscite in the state. “Farooq Abdullah is not part of Hurriyat. I can’t talk about Hurriyat,” he said.
KV Correspondent
