SRINAGAR: the political parties as well as secessionist organizations in Jammu and Kashmir are up in arms against the reported marks of Union Home Minister Indrajit Gupta that the State would be divided on religious lines after the ensuing Assembly elections.
The State unit chief of Janata Dal, Mr. Abdul Qayoom, reacting to the remarks of Mr, Gupta, said that this may be the personal views of the minister but are not part of the Central Government’s Kashmir policy. Taking strong exception to the Statement of Mr. Gupta, National Conference spokesperson and former MP, Prof Saifuddin Soz said, “We will not allow this to happen” and added that “such kinds of remarks will have far Teaching consequences.”
Former Chief Minister and National Conference chief Dr. Faroog Abdullah had reportedly registered protest against the remarks of the Home Minister when he called on Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda recently in Delhi.
Reacting to the statement, separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah said the writing on wall is loud and clear and the Government instead of making unilateral statements should look out for a permanent and peaceful solution to the Kashmir imbroglio.
In a statement, he said though “we are against the division of the State; the CPI leader by making such a statement has accepted the two nation theory.”
Mr, Shah said the statement made by Mr. Gupta to make Ladakh a Union Territory will invite trouble from parts of Jammu and Ladakh regions as majority of the people in Kargil, Rajouri, Poonch and Doda wanted to remain with Kashmir.
Outlawed Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) said Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir Valley, are inseparable parts of the State and no one will be allowed to divide it. Banned Hizbul Mujahideen commenting on the statement said the remarks of the minister were a part of a conspiracy to climate Kashmiri.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 28, 1996
