Abdullah's 'azaadi' pledge proves NC behind Kashmir unrest: CM

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday reacted sharply to National Conference President Farooq Abdullah's pledge to support "freedom" movement of Kashmir, accusing the opposition party of masterminding the recent unrest in the valley.

"Criminals had their way during the last five months of pelting stones on vehicles, torching schools and attacking camps of security forces. The statement of Farooq Sahib has proved that the National Conference can go to any extent to get power," the Chief Minister told reporters here.

She said Abdullah, by vowing to support the separatist Hurriyat Confernce in the "struggle for Kashmir's azaadi", had proven that the National Conference was involved in such activities during these months.

"When the situation has started getting better now, he has asked his workers to worsen the situation again."

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of a government function here, Mufti accused the opposition party of going to any extent and playing with the lives of people "to grab power".

While in power, Abdullah had said Pakistan should be bombed and his son and former state Chief Minister Omar Abdullah used to issue statements against Pakistan when he was a Minister of State for External Affairs in Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government.

"As they are out of power now, both (the father and son) are speaking a different language," Mufti said.

--IANS

sq/sar/vt