New Delhi: In a veiled attack on the People's Democratic Party (PDP)-led coalition
government, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on December 12
said those "shaking hands with terrorists to remain in power were "betraying" the
motherland.
"I have seen lot of officers and men lay down their lives for the tri-colour. But to
win elections, I have seen people shaking hands with terrorism. Political parties
should keep the nations interest above their parties.
"Abdullah said in an apparent reference to the release of some militants by the Mufti
Mohammed Sayeed government.
He was addressing a function organised in New Delhi by the All India Anti-terrorist
Front on the eve of the first anniversary of the terrorist strike on
Parliament.
Emphasising that civilians and security personnel have made maximum sacrifices
fighting terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, he said even today Pakistan was running
terrorist camps and supplying terrorists with arms and ammunition.
"They (Islamabad) think we will give them Kashmir on a platter. So long as the world
exists, Kashmir will remain a part of India and we will live and die for the country
and
take back our territory under its occupation," Abdullah said.
Stating that 50 activists of his National Conference party have been killed in
terrorist violence, he asserted, "Unless we unite and fight, terrorism cannot be
defeated.
Whoever thinks that they can remain in the chair by shaking hands with the terrorists
are betraying the motherland.
Demanding enactment of laws to stringently punish "whoever supports terrorism", he
called for exposing those channelising hawala money to terrorists.
He also said India will have to fight terrorism on its own and not expect the United
States to come to it's aid.
PTI
