Farooq Abdullah criticizes govt for disallowing people to pay tributes to 13 July Martyrs

Former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah Wednesday lashed out at the government for not allowing them to pay tributes to the 13 July 1931 Martyrs at Kashmir capital Srinagar.

“It’s a really sorry state of affairs that the ‘Day’ we used to observe as an official holiday has become a bane now for the government. To pay homage to these martyrs people used to visit the graveyard to offer prayers but those doors have been closed and we have been stopped from visiting there, he said.

Farooq Abdullah was talking to reporters at party headquarters in Srinagar.

While urging the government to support the family of the deceased police officer who was killed in a militant attack in Lal Bazar area of Srinagar, Farooq Abdullah said that militancy won’t end till the hearts of people are not won. He said they have to suffer and will continue to suffer till the resolution of Kashmir and for that matter, it is important to talk to the neighboring country.

In response to a question with regard to the crisis in Sri Lanka, Farooq Abdullah said that he hopes such a situation won’t arise in India. “It is important for the government of India to take appropriate steps. Anything is possible but let us pray this country won’t see such a situation,” he said.

National Conference patron while responding to a question said that there is unity in diversity in India. “We have to strengthen the diversity to create unity. We are united for growth, progress, and prosperity and if this diversity is attacked, there will be no unity,” he said referring to the attack on minority communities in India. (KNT)