SRINAGAR, September 13: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah asserted on Wednesday that militancy remains a persistent issue in Jammu and Kashmir and will not cease until India and Pakistan engage in meaningful dialogue to address all underlying conflicts.
Abdullah expressed this view following a meeting at the party office, stating, “Encounters will continue to occur. To claim that militancy has been eradicated would be inaccurate. These incidents occurred in the past and continue to happen today… they will persist until both countries come to the negotiating table to seek solutions.”
Regarding the removal of additional duties on imported apples, walnuts, and almonds from the United States, Abdullah voiced concerns that this move might have adverse effects on the prices of locally grown produce.
“We are concerned that this decision may impact our fruit industry in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Farmers who have invested significant resources are apprehensive that local produce prices might decline, resulting in financial losses,” he emphasized. Abdullah urged the government to address this matter to safeguard the interests of farmers and prevent potential losses that could harm the nation’s agricultural sector.
Responding to queries about the agenda of the coordination committee meeting of the opposition INDIA bloc scheduled in the national capital, Abdullah deferred comment, stating, “Omar Abdullah is representing the National Conference at the meeting. Details of the decisions taken will be communicated after the meeting.”
