Hurriyat leaders will take part in elections: Farooq

By Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR, SEPT. 8. The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, today asked his party workers to be ready for elections, in which he said at least three Hurriyat leaders would participate. He also expressed the hope that talks between India and Pakistan would bring peace to the trouble-torn State.

Speaking at a public meeting organised to commemorate the 19th death anniversary of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, he said, ``Woh maidan mein aane walen hain'' (They will enter the election fray).

He identified the senior executive member of the Hurriyat, Mr. Abdul Gani Lone, and the Democratic Freedom Party leader, Mr. Shabir Shah, and said that if the health of Mr. Yaseen Malik improved, he might also take part. ``It is good for us and we will see who stands where.'' The Chief Minister lashed out at the Hurriyat leaders for ``using religion to promote themselves. They have no sympathy for you but want to project themselves,'' he told the gathering.

When a National Conference activist was killed, they did not have any words of condolence for them. ``They are the killers of humanity,'' he said.

Hoping that the efforts of friendship between India and Pakistan would succeed, he said, ``We are craving for peace as we only know what it means. We have seen enough of destruction in the last 12 years and cannot stand it. We want development and prosperity and Pakistan should allow us to live on our own. When these people talk of `azadi' or Pakistan, they do not care for more than 20 crores of Indian Muslims.''

Dr. Abdullah reiterated that Kashmir would continue to be part of the Indian Union, but added, ``We will live with dignity and honour.'' Justice had to be meted out to all the regions in development.

At the meeting, Mr. Ghulam Nabi Mir Lasjan and Mr. Ghulam Qadir Pardesi, from the People's Democratic Party (PDP) led by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, joined the National Conference.

Kar for buffer State

In a surprising statement, the former Pradesh Congress Committee chief, Mr. Ghulam Rasool Kar, sought a ``buffer State'' status for Jammu and Kashmir, saying that it was the only solution to all problems.

``Even if the Government of India restores the pre-1953 position, things will never change in Kashmir.'' So a ``buffer status'' between India and Pakistan was the only amicable solution.

The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, addressing a gathering at Hazratbal, in Srinagar on the 19th death anniversary of his father, Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah.

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