Farooq asks separatists to meet interlocutors

Srinagar: Farooq Abdullah, president of ruling National conference, Saturday expressed hope that the separatists would meet the three-member interlocutors appointed by the New Delhi for resolution of the Kashmir issue.

“We hope and pray that the separatists would meet the interlocutors and put their point of view before them so that they will present a detailed document for the resolution of Kashmir issue and put the same before parliament and people of India,” Farooq Abdullah told reporters after the party’s Central Working Committee in Jammu.

Farooq Abdullah, minister for new and renewable energy in Manohan Singh administration, also reiterated the National Conference was firm for its Autonomy demand.

He also ruled out division of the state as solution and all the three regions—Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh— were a single unit and “will remain so.”

He also set to rest all speculations about the change of guard in the state, underlining that the issue of chief ministership was settled once and for all at the start of the coalition between National Conference and the Congress.

Regarding the 31-mmber party meet, Farooq Abdullah said that it had discussion on ensuing panchayat elections, unemployment and the development in the state.

“The discussion during the meeting revolved round that how the party would go about the Panchayat polls, strengthening the coalition besides important issues like development and unemployment.”

He said that party has also convened a meeting of the party members to discuss ensuing Budget session of the legislative assembly on February 25.

The NC president said that government will press the government of India to approve financial plan of the state in-toto so that the development works don’t suffer in the state. Farooq also prayed that the Kashmir Valley would see a peaceful summer, said correspondent present on the occasion.