Azad congrats Geelani for realizing ‘futility’ of stone pelting

Srinagar: Indian health minister and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Ghulam Nabi Azad Friday hailed the latest statement by Hurriyat Conference chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani about stone pelting.  “We have been telling from ages that gun and stones won’t yield any results. It is not in the interest of Jammu and Kashmir for it badly affects the economic stability of the state,” Gulam Nabi Azad told reporters in response question about Geelani’s remarks against stone throwing. “I want to congratulate all those people and youth who have realized futility of violence and stones for resolution of the issues,” he added as per a correspondent.   Geelani on Thursday last had rejected stone pelting by the youth as a form of resistance, saying that it will not help the ‘cause of Kashmir’s fight for freedom.’To a question about separate statehood demand in Telangana, Azad said, “The talks with Congress lawmakers (who resigned) from the region have not closed.” Azad, also AICC incharge for Andhra Pradesh, was talking to reporters on the sidelines of a women’s function at RS Pora in Jammu. Azad said there were two rounds of talks between him and the MPs and MLAs of Congress who resigned in support of demand for creation of Telangana over the issue. “We did not talk to all of them but to their representatives. I have full hope that talks would continued,” he said. Cutting across party lines, over 100 MLAs and 15 MPs submitted their resignations to respective presiding officers in demand for separate Telangana.