People of J&K not slaves of Centre, says Farooq

People of Jammu and Kashmir are not slaves of the Centre but the real owners of their land, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Thursday said.

“Let me tell you one thing ... we are not their slaves. People of this state are the owners of this place, remember it,” Abdullah told reporters at Beerwah in Budgam district.

The former chief minister made the remark when he was asked if he expected the Centre to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir after Assembly elections.

Abdullah, who accompanied the party candidate from Beerwah segment for filing of nomination papers, said the supporters of the BJP in Kashmir should come to senses as soon as possible.

“I tell their lapdogs to get back to their senses. There will be a storm and they will have to face it,” he said.