Not an inch of Kashmir will be given to separatists: Farooq
Union minister Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said separatists would not get "an inch" of Kashmir and asked foreign ambassadors who visited the state to also undertake a trip to Pakistan occupied Kashmir. "Not a single person in India will give an inch of Kashmir to them," Abdullah, also
former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, said during a debate here on 'Civil Society is also responsible for the emergence of terrorism in India.'
Pointing out that ambassadors from a number of foreign countries visited Kashmir, he said, "how many of them visit Azad Kashmir? Is India to be put on the road and be beaten?"
Stating that there were pockets of civil society overtly or covertly supporting terrorism, he said that the youth who pelted stones at security forces in Kashmir valley had been paid to do so.
"We have to win them over with development, democracy and empowerment," the National Conference leader said.
Advocating anti-terror laws like POTA, Abdullah said such laws were the only tools in fighting terrorists.
"During my chief ministership, I implemented POTA going against my cabinet as it was the only option in fighting terror. But during the elections, the Opposition brought this up against me. But they did not realise that I did it in the interest of the nation," he said.
He said laws like AFSPA had resulted in excesses in the valley, but added that he was not in favour of withdrawing it. "Let AFSPA stay, but let there also be justice."
Not an inch of Kashmir will be given to separatists: Farooq - Hindustan Times