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SRINAGAR, June 23: Trashing the reports of “Statehood with conditions” as false, National Conference president and former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today reiterated the demand for the restoration of Statehood, terming it the right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
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Speaking to reporters after a meeting with party workers from Bandipora at Nawa-e-Subah, Abdullah said that Statehood is not a “favour” to be granted to the people of J&K.
He was responding to a question about reports suggesting that Statehood for J&K may be restored with certain conditions. He, however, dismissed these claims.
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“Whoever has written this-do they receive revelations? The media is at the forefront of spreading lies and creating confusion among the people. Statehood is the right of the people of J&K, not a favour,” he said.
Meanwhile, the NC president also announced the formation of the party’s Human Rights Wing, which will be headed by senior party leader and MLA Pampore Hasnain Masoodi.
“It will have two more members, whose names will be announced later. We felt the need for it, and it was important for the party to have a Human Rights Wing,” Dr Farooq said.
Regarding the meeting with Bandipora workers, he said discussions focused on strengthening the party and addressing the issues faced by the people.
On the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, the NC president said Israel does not want Iran to become a nuclear power and has long pursued this policy.
“This is nothing new; they would never want Iran to have nuclear weapons. Other Muslim countries are also against it, but what is unfortunate is that they remain silent on the aggression against Iran,” he said.
He added that these countries believe Israel will not attack them, but emphasized that while Israel acts on the front, the US backs it from behind.
“But a time will come when they too will be attacked, because Israel wants their resources,” he warned.
On the escalating conflict between the two countries, Farooq said that if it continues, it will impact global as well as Indian economies.
He noted that world powers are trying to ensure the situation does not worsen. “They are trying to ease tensions, and we hope they succeed. Otherwise, we too will suffer,” he said.
Earlier, Abdullah had stated that the US President Donald Trump was on the forefront of the war which, as per him, could turn out to be the third war for the world after the Russia-Ukraine war.
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