By Sheikh Imran Bashir, Agence India Press,
Srinagar: J&K chief minister, Omar Abdullah asked
separatists to take advantage of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s statement that he was ready to consider autonomy if there was a consensus.
While addressing the Independence Day celebrations here, he said, “PM’s announcement regarding granting of autonomy is a historic opportunity for us and we must take advantage of it. I appeal to separatist leaders to come to the table for talks and play their role in solving the Kashmir issue,” he said, he asked the separatists to follow the footsteps of his late grandfather Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, who was in jail for 23 years but did not put the people to difficulties.
“Let us come to the table and discuss autonomy, self rule,” he said.
Abdullah requested separatists leaders not to “use this holy month” for violence.
He said the Prime Minister is ready for talks on all issues, but appealed to the Centre not to forget the promises after normalcy is restored in the state.
The Chief Minister also made a passionate appeal to the youth and separatists to stop the “cycle of violence”. “Trust deficit” between the Centre and people of the state can be bridged by “restoring autonomy,” he added.
“This cycle of violence may please be stopped. Today is the fourth day of holy month of Ramadan. I am not a Muslim scholar but a Muslim. The month of
Ramadan teaches us to pray and maintain brotherhood. Let us not use force during this month,” he said.
He further pointed out, “It takes two hands to clap. I am prepared to ask police and security forces not to use force if you stop stone pelting. I do not want you to indulge in stone pelting which is replied by fire and teargas shelling.”
“Please stop stone pelting and attacking police stations, railway stations and other public property,” he said.
The chief minister said violence and strikes can not cure the illness.
“For the last 20 years, Kashmiris have observed strikes for five years, traders could not do business for five years, children could not go to
schools,” he said.
The CM said that he had no regrets that someone sloganeered and hurled a shoe from behind.
“If a shoe is tossed instead of a stone, I think it is a better way of showing protest.”