Farooq meets Rajnath: ‘State should reach out to youth’
Asks Government of India to take effective measures
New Delhi: National Conference President and Member of Parliament from Srinagar, Farooq Abdullah on Friday met Home Minister, Rajnath Singh in New Delhi and expressed serious concern over unabated civilian killings and the continued deterioration of the situation in Kashmir.
Apprising the Home Minister of the grim situation in the Valley, Farooq said the spate of civilian killings was unacceptable and risked pushing the Valley to a dangerous precipice of turmoil and further instability, reads a statement issued here by the National Conference. “I urged the Central Government to take decisive measures to prevent loss of innocent, precious lives in Kashmir and to initiate a sustainable, effective and serious political initiative to stop widespread alienation and disenchantment in the Valley”, Dr. Farooq Abdullah said after the meeting.
The National Conference President said the State should reach out to the youth and take the spurt in local boys joining militant ranks very seriously. “The numbers in which local boys are joining militant ranks is unprecedented after the early 90s and this is an ongoing trend which is only increasing with each passing day. A purely military or operational approach to deal with the situation would be futile. This is a crucial time and requires political handling from both the Central and the State Governments”, Farooq said after the meeting.
Farooq said the mounting casualties suffered by the Forces and personnel of the J&K Police was also a matter of grief and concern and said he stood in solidarity with the families of those who had lost their lives in the line of duty and extended his condolences to them.
Farooq said recent protests by students across the Valley indicated widespread anger and resentment that should be acknowledged and understood. “The spontaneous student protests indicate the level of alienation and anger and should serve as a wake-up call. I hope the Central Government takes urgent, decisive and concrete measures,” he added.
