M A I N   N E W S

Farooq threatens to quit
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, April 10 — The Budget session of the state Assembly ended here today with the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, holding out a threat that he would quit in case the Centre reopened the Kashmir issue during talks with the separatists, including the Hurriyat Conference leaders.

Winding up the general discussion in the second sitting on the last day of the session, the Chief Minister said the Kashmir issue had been settled over 50 years ago and any attempt to reverse the accession would be an insult to those martyrs who lost their lives in defending the integrity and unity of the state.

Dr Abdullah said he was not opposed to talks. “Ours is a democracy and we have to hold talks even with those who hold different view points,” he said, adding that there should be no compromise on the basic issue. He said, “Let there be talks with the Hurriyat leaders but these need to be held within the ambit of the Constitution of India and the state’s constitution.”

Raising his voice he said the Kashmir issue “cannot be reopened and if it was there would be thousands of Bosnias in India”. He said he had released the Hurriyat leaders simply to allow them a chance to think over the ground realities in a cool manner. They should realise the way Pakistan agents and mercenaries have been indulging in killing of innocent people. He said he was neither afraid of Hurriyat leaders nor was he willing to stoop at any stage.

Dr Abdullah stated that his opponents would not be able to overthrow his government. He suggested to his opponents, including the Hurriyat Conference leaders, to wait for another two and a half years and test their strength during the Assembly elections. “We had invited them last time also to contest elections, but they did not, “he said, adding once they contested the Assembly elections they would know where they stood.

He said he would order release of other detainees also and he hoped that they would understand the realities and stop creating added problems for the people of the state. He advised the Hurriyat leaders and other separatist groups that they should understand that he (Farooq) was neither soared of them nor of their patrons. They should understand the condition of economy and the rule of law in Pakistan and “we are lucky we cast our lot with India in 1947”.

In fact the second sitting of the session had been convened to discuss the motion on State Autonomy Committee report. The discussion on Saturday had been inconclusive when members exchanged hot words with Law Minister P.L. Handoo.