Farooq Abdullah slams Pakistan for Kashmir Valley uneasiness

KOLKATA - Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Resources Farooq Abdullah has reiterated that Kashmir is an integral part of India and without naming Pakistan, has blamed it for inciting violence there in the name of “Azadi”.

‘Kashmir is an integral part of India and it will remain an integral part of India. People who are shouting Azadi (independence) hardly know what Azadi is all about. We have the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (in force) at some places, not everywhere,” Abdullah said during an interactive session with the Bengal National Chamber of Commerce and Industry here.

“Our neighbour has always been fishing in troubled waters. First it started by the gun, by blasts and bombs. They threw the Kashmiri Pandits out by ethnic cringing. They did not succeed in taking Kashmir to Pakistan. This is the second way they have started. But be sure, none of their plans will succeed. This, I tell you from the bottom of my heart,” he added.

‘Some of the things have gone wrong, many young people have died. The number is 64. It is extremely tragic. This really upstages the whole thing,’ he said.

The Kashmir Valley has experienced a surge of violence that has led authorities to impose frequent curfew restrictions in several parts of the state.

Curfew was initially imposed on June 30 in parts of northern and southern Kashmir to stop demonstrations over a couple of protesters who died in police firing.

It was lifted some days later, but was again imposed as fresh violence erupted. (ANI)