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Pakistan will never get Kashmir: Abdullah

"I know some of you might be aspiring for independence of Jammu and Kashmir or its merger with Pakistan, but let me assure you that it is not going to happen," he said addressing a rally in Sangrama village of Baramulla district.

"Guns cannot solve any issue. Slogans in support of the independence of the state or merger with Pakistan did not, and will not, bring any development to the state. The issues will have to be resolved peacefully and the National Conference is the only party which can do it for people of the state," he said.

Abdullah said certain elements in the All-Parties Hurriyat Conference had realised the futility of their slogans and were participating in the upcoming assembly election through "proxy".

"Why are [Hurriyat leader] Mirwaiz [Umar Farooq], [People's Conference leaders] Sajjad Lone and Bilal Lone not issuing any anti-election statements," he asked.

The NC's chief ministerial candidate told the crowd that if elected, his party would bring in a law to check corruption in high places.

"There have been charges of corruption against the present government. I assure you that we are going to rid the government of this menace. We will have to change laws to bring politicians, MLAs, ministers and even the chief minister under the purview of accountability. We will do that if returned to power," he said.

He said the style of functioning of the Special Operations Group of the J&K police, which had come under fire for human rights violations, would also be changed.

"People are already suffering due to militancy and if the SOG also commits atrocities, it will be gross injustice... we will not allow it," Abdullah said.

Abdullah said the party would seek changes in the laws to ensure that one person from every family got a government job. "Unemployment is the biggest problem in the state. We will also help, technically and financially, those youths who want to set up their own business."

He promised a primary school in every village, a computer lab in every higher secondary school, drinking water and tarred roads in all villages.

It was the first time in the past 13 years, since militancy erupted in the valley, that a public meeting was held in this interior village of Baramulla district, which is highly infested by militants.

PTI

Jammu and Kashmir Elections 2002: The complete coverage

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