Jammu, Apr 21 (KNO): Stating that he is not a “Pakistani” and cannot speak on behalf of an Army General, National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah on Monday blamed the neighbouring country and their agents in J&K for promoting drug abuse in the region.
Replying to a query about Pakistan Army chief’s recent remarks on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Dr Farooq, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said, “I am not a Pakistani and cannot speak on behalf of a Pakistani general. Please direct your enquiries to him.”
Responding to a question about Pakistan’s alleged involvement in pushing narcotics into J&K the National Conference President said, “We know about it. It is not a new thing. There are people among us who are part of it and we need to strongly crack down on these agents and punish them for pushing our youth to the brink.”
He also called for concerted efforts to combat the drug menace. “There are people who are involved in this and are selling drugs here. We must bring them down and give them the harshest punishment possible. They are jeopardising our future,” Dr Farooq said.
Terming drug abuse as a big menace, Dr Farooq said, “Our children are being ruined by it. Our future is falling into darkness because of it. We have to wage a big war against it, in a very strong manner. We must eliminate this menace completely.”
Calling the recent cloudburst in Ramban a “National Disaster” Dr Farooq Abdullah said, “It’s a major disaster; the whole village has come down. I am hopeful that the Government of India will take note of it and extend all possible support.”
He stressed the urgent need for rehabilitation of the affected families. “The victims will have to be resettled as they can no longer live there. Their homes and livelihoods have been washed away. The situation demands swift intervention,” he added.
“The cloudburst has not only caused loss of life and property but also severely impacted connectivity in the area,” he said, adding, “The tragedy has also disrupted the traffic on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. The highway has been affected again. Had the train service commenced people could have availed the facility. Unfortunately the Prime Minister couldn’t inaugurate the train service due to the inclement weather.”
Calling for strategic infrastructural development, Dr Farooq also emphasized the importance of an alternative all-weather route. “One national highway is not enough. A tunnel should be constructed on the Mughal Road to provide a reliable alternative. It will ensure uninterrupted access, especially during natural calamities,” he said, as per KNO.
Dr Farooq also expressed confidence about statehood restoration. “We will get our powers and statehood back. It has been promised in the Parliament. It will definitely come.”
Asked about differences in the National Conference, especially after comments by Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, he said, “It is an internal matter.”
He, however, declined to comment on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s remarks abroad regarding the Election Commission. “Please do not ask me questions about Rahul Gandhi. I have no comments on it.”—(KNO)