National Conference President Farooq Abdullah has dismissed the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Indian government’s claims of ending militancy in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that peace in the region is impossible without the improvement of ties between India and Pakistan. According to Kashmir Media Service, he made the remarks while speaking to reporters in Shopian and later talking to party delegations in Srinagar.

“Militancy will not end here till our relations with our neighbour do not become better,” Abdullah said when asked about the claims that militancy in J&K has ended. When asked about the ongoing encounter in Kulgam district, Abdullah said, “How can you say that militancy has ended when the encounter is going on?

”Farooq Abdullah reiterated the party’s opposition to the unilateral and unconstitutional actions taken on August 5, 2019, stating that such steps continue to remain unacceptable to the people of Jammu & Kashmir and the party. He affirmed that the National Conference will continue its peaceful, democratic and constitutional struggle for the restoration of J&K’s democratic and constitutional rights.

 “The events of August 5, 2019, caused deep hurt and disappointment among the people of Jammu & Kashmir. As a party, we remain committed to pursuing the restoration of our constitutional and democratic rights through peaceful, democratic, and constitutional means. Our resolve is rooted in the aspirations and sentiments of the people,” he said.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)