Farooq Abdullah cautions Kashmiri Muslims against 'Centre's divide and rule tactics'

Dr Farooq Abdullah said that all the political parties in the Kashmir Valley are united on Article 370 and restoration of state status in Jammu and Kashmir but each party has its own separate system.

Srinagar: National Conference President and former chief minister of Jammu Kashmir Dr Farooq Abdullah has said that the central government wants to divide the Muslims in Kashmir by supporting new political parties.

Speaking to media on the sidelines of a function at the National Conference headquarters in Srinagar - Nawa-e-Sabah - Abdullah said that the policy of "Divide and Rule" was the policy of the Central Government. "It is a tried and tested tactic but people must unite and defeat them," he addded.

Asked about the dismissal of government employees on charges of militancy, Farooq Abdullah said, "The central government had claimed that it would provide 50,000 jobs to the youth in Jammu and Kashmir, but instead, they are firing employees, which will not reduce militancy but increase it."

He further said that all the political parties in the Kashmir Valley are united on Article 370 and restoration of state status in Jammu and Kashmir but each party has its own separate system.

He further said that he has filed a petition in the Supreme Court regarding the withdrawal of Section 370 but it is not being heard which he cannot do anything about.

Farooq Abdullah said he could only wait for an early hearing of Section 370 in the Supreme Court and resorted to non-violence instead of throwing stones and carrying guns.