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National Conference decries US hand in J&K affairs

While expressing concern for the developing situation in the Kashmir valley, the ruling National Conference on Monday blasted the United States for 'fishing in troubled waters'.

The party also held China responsible for the deteriorating situation, and reiterated its resolve to 'resist all nefarious plans to tamper with the territorial integrity of the state as an integral part of the Union of India.'

Briefing the media after an extraordinary meeting of the working committee, NC spokesman and minister in the Farooq Abdullah cabinet Ghulam Mohi-Ud-Din Shah pointed out that 'even people from Pentagon and the US defence secretary have started trying their hand at interference in our affairs'.

"Having failed in all their tricks in the past, the interested imperialist-expansionist forces and self-elected cops of the world have set themselves the game of destabilising us," Shah said. ""What used to done at the highest executive level before, is now threatened to be achieved even by military means."

While reiterating that India desired peaceful relations with all countries "especially our neighbours," Shah said India had never given up efforts to settle, bilaterally, all outstanding problems and reach a solution on the Kashmir issue.

"The chosen path of bilateralism was, however, forsaken by Pakistan," argued Shah, "and instead, use of force was sought to be resorted to, to annex Kashmir." Pointing out that the violence had spread, of late, from the valley to the Jammu region with people dying in large numbers, Shah said, "If India's cry against a proxy war and militancy exported by our neighbouring country was heeded in time, neither war clouds nor threat of war would have been seen anywhere around our country, nor would Pakistan have felt it necessary to exercise their nuclear option."

A statement issued by the party meanwhile reiterated its 'determination to win for the state an honoured place and status, as envisaged by the original agreement of accession'.

"No matter who rules the country, the state of Kashmir has to have its glorious and cherished autonomous position in the country as envisaged by decisions taken as far back as 1952," the statement said.

Shah told the media that the autonomy committee will soon submit its final report to the state government.

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