KPs won’t return until remnants of terror remain: Farooq

‘Pak has to stop terrorism’

Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR, Apr 11: National Conference (NC) president Dr Farooq Abdullah today said Pakistan has to put a stop to terror activities and understand that it can progress only when it lives in an atmosphere of friendship and love with India.
The former Chief Minister also said Kashmiri Pandits will not return to the Valley until remnants of terror remain here.

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“The Government cannot bring anything. Until they (Pandits) feel in their hearts that they are safe here and can roam around freely, they will not come back,” Abdullah told reporters on the sidelines of an event here.
The NC president said the Government as well as the people here will have to create a conducive atmosphere in Kashmir for Pandits to return.
“We have to create those conditions and that cannot happen through speeches, but by action. If we really want to bring them back, we have to start acting in that way. We also need to tell our neighbour (Pakistan) to stop terror now. Enough is enough.
“We cannot become theirs (Pakistan), but we can live as friends. Till there are remnants of terror, there will be fear and this (the return of Pandits) will not happen,” he said.
Replying to a question that whether targeted killings of Hindus in the recent past were a hurdle for Pandits to return to Kashmir, Abdullah said such killings will take place till Pakistan realises that it has to live as friends with India.
“When we live as friends and with love, both countries will progress and if we live in hatred, the pace of progress will be slow, which we are seeing today,” he asserted.
Asked about several separatist leaders dissociating themselves from separatism and declaring their complete commitment to the unity of India, Abdullah said it is wrong to suggest that separatism has died in them.
“Who left separatism and who did not, name them. Who among them were big leaders? This is being done to show that it (separatism) has died in them, which is wrong. Tell me, what will be achieved by the closure of the Jamia Masjid or by restricting (Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz) Umar Farooq? Can it indicate to the country that we are living here in peace?” the former Union Minister asked.
He said the closure of the Jamia Masjid on Fridays is wrong.
“When Kashmiris have to face a situation, how can I tell my Pandit brothers to come back here? They should not indulge in these wrong acts. They should never close the Jamia Masjid as prayers are offered there. That is wrong and should not happen,” he said.
Farooq said the party will approach the Supreme Court to challenge the Waqf Amendment Act, asking what else the party could do in the prevailing situation.
Abdullah also congratulated the Central Government over the extradition of 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana but took a dig at the BJP for failing to fulfil its promise of bringing back black money.
“I congratulate them that they have at least brought someone back. But they had also promised to bring back black money and deposit Rs 15 lakh into every citizen’s account. What happened to that?” he asked.
Referring to a fatwa (Islamic decree) issued last year by Saudi Arabia’s Fatwa Board, Abdullah said no one should support the enemies of Islam. “Attempts were being made to create a single book from the Torah, Bible, and Quran. There were efforts to build common places of worship for Muslims, Christians and Jews,” he said.
He added that the fatwa has clearly stated that Islam is the final religion, the Quran is the final book, and Prophet Mohammad is the last messenger. “No one should support the enemies of Islam who are heading towards hell, and those who side with them will also go to hell,” he added.
Abdullah was referring to the fatwa issued by the Permanent Committee for Fatwa in Saudi Arabia in September last year regarding the controversy over the unity of religions, also called the Abrahamic House.
Reacting to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) protest against the Waqf Amendment Act earlier in the day, Abdullah said, “It is a good thing. Let them protest. This is a free country.”

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