Hurriyat flays Omar's statement on Pakistan

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq says J&K chief minister "lacks political maturity"

Both factions of Hurriyat Conference today attacked Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in unison over his statement asking to explore "other options" if Pakistan continues with ceasefire volition, saying his talk of "bullet for bullet" shows lack of understanding of the consequences.

"The statement of Chief Minister (Omar) is highly provocative and lacks political maturity. Omar should keep in mind that any confrontation between the two nuclear powers will bring destruction to the entire South Asian region," moderate Hurriyat Conference headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said in a statement here.

Omar yesterday said the Centre will have to look at the possibility of responding in the same way if Pakistan continued to violate ceasefire along the Line of Control and International border in the state.

"Obviously this cannot be a one sided affair. It cannot be a situation where we are the receiving end and no response is given," Omar had told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

The Hurriyat said Omar's talk of "bullet for bullet" demonstrates his lack of understanding of the consequences.

"There is no alternative to mediation and dialogue to resolve outstanding issues," the Hurriyat said adding "Kashmir issue is a live problem and cannot be downgraded by rejecting mediation, dialogue or parroting of integral part.

Kashmiris, living on either side, have suffered immensely due to the border tension between the two countries, the separatist amalgam said and advocated for meaningful dialogue to resolve Kashmir issue.

Criticising the Chief Minister for his statement, hardline Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani said "whenever National Conference feels it is loosing power, it resorts to Pakistan-bashing to win over the support of New Delhi and to safeguard the chair."

"Omar is trying to behave like 'more loyal than the king' by blaming Pakistan (and) sidelining the realities. And by advocating war with Pakistan, he has proved his childish thinking and political immaturity," Geelani said.