We will not support ‘Operation All Out’: Farooq Abdullah

National Conference president and Member Parliament, Dr Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said that his party, if voted to power, wouldn’t support continuation of ‘Operation All-out’ launched against the militants in Kashmir.

“How can we support where there is suppression? It is not a question of ‘all out’. We don’t want our people to suffer that they will be beaten in their homes. That has never been part of National Conference’s policy,” he said when asked whether his party will support continuation of ‘Operation All-out’.

He said that his party was not going to support any violence or violation of human rights. “Everyone is free, we live in a free country. And therefore we as a government we will have to see that freedom of people expression is not curbed,” Abdullah, who represents Srinagar-Budgam constituency in the Parliament, told Early Times on the sidelines of a party convention held in Dak Banglow Khanabal.

Senior Abdullah also promised to announce a truth and reconciliation commission to probe civilian killings of 2016.

“Omar Shab  (Omar Abdullah) had already asked for a truth and reconciliation commission. We hope that God brings our party into power strongly and we don’t have to stand on crutches (referring to coalition). This (probe) will be a great thing that we will announce on the very (first) day when the new government takes over that we will appoint such a commission (Truth and Reconciliation Commission) and see to it that the results are brought before the people not only in Jammu and Kashmir but in rest of the world,” Abdullah told Early Times.

Terming the situation in South Kashmir grim, Farooq Abdullah said that hearts can’t be won by nocturnal raids and killings.

“South Kashmir is still burning and reasons we all know. Hearts in South Kashmir can’t be won by killings and nocturnal raids. We need look into their sufferings. This (Kashmir issue) is a political problem and to resolve it we need to initiate all efforts which can bring trust among people and people can live peacefully,” he said.

Abdullah said that peace is Kashmir can’t be restored till unconditional dialogue is initiated with people of Jammu and Kashmir including Hurriyat. “Today again I would like to request Government of India to initiate dialogue. Home Minister must invitation to Hurriyat before elections and discuss the issues,” he said.

Senior leaders Ali Mohd Sagar, Bashir Ahmad Veeri, Altaf Ahmad Kaloo and others also attended party convention.