Abdullah backs Afridi's assertions on Kashmir killings

While backing Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi's assertions on killings in Kashmir, National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday said that there will be no place left in the Valley where people won't offer their lives if the situation continues to remain grim.

"Everybody has condemned the killings in Kashmir. Every nation is condemning the killing, the killing must stop," Abdullah said in reference to Afridi's tweet on the killing of 20 people in south Kashmir's Shopian district over the weekend.

Afridi had on Tuesday tweeted on the situation in the Valley and asked why the United Nations had not made any efforts to put an end to the violence in the state.

While terming the situation in Kashmir grim, Abdullah said, "If it (killings) continues like this there will be no place left in Kashmir where people won't offer their lives. Anger among Kashmiri youth is brewing because of the tragedies the nation is facing itself."

"Young people of Kashmir are seeing their future dark. Kashmiris have to be here always. We have an autonomy which was granted to us and autonomy must be restored to the people so that their honour is restored. And just playing tricks with it will not help," he said.

Abdullah, who represents Srinagar Parliament constituency in the Lok Sabha also advocated for talks with Pakistan. "It is necessary we must talk to Pakistan to come of this storm."

"Four wars have taken place between India and Pakistan. Has anything changed", he asked.  

On PDP-BJP alliance having opposite stance on the issue of having talks with Pakistan, the NC chief said, "If they (PDP) have any wisdom they should leave the government. But they will not as they are in love with the power and the chair."  

"They say a lot but they do nothing. For four years they are saying that the talks will be initiated. I ask where those talks are. They have forgotten everything," he added.