Don't escape responsibility by blaming Centre: Hurriyat to Omar

A day after Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah claimed that national leaders were treating the state and its people differently and "fuelling alienation", moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference today said mainstream parties including National Conference cannot escape the responsibility by blaming New Delhi.

"By blaming New Delhi, these people (mainstream parties) cannot escape the responsibility from their crimes," Hurriyat Chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq said while addressing Friday congregation at Jamia Masjid here.

"It is a reality that the rulers in New Delhi have been involved in political and economic exploitation of Kashmiris, but it is also a fact that National Conference and other pro-Indian parties are equally responsible for it," the Hurriyat chairman said.

The Chief Minister, addressing the Independence day function at Bakshi Stadium here yesterday, said the differential treatment to the issues of his state compared to other parts of the country was fuelling alienation among its people.

Referring to the spurt in firing incidents between India and Pakistani Army along the Line of Control (LoC), the Hurriyat leader said "such incidents have disastrous consequences".

He urged the leadership of both the countries to exhibit political maturity and concentrate on making the environment conducive for the solution of all outstanding disputes.

"Instead of using force to silence the Kashmiris, both countries should initiate meaningful dialogue to resolve Kashmir issue which is the bone of contention between them to normalise their relations," he said.

Mirwaiz also reiterated his demand of disbanding of the Village Defence Committees in Jammu region.