PDP-BJP unleashed repression, coercion against people of Kashmir: Farooq
'People's trust and confidence cannot be won by pellet guns or putting youth behind bars,' he said.
Jammu: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah on Saturday accused the PDP-BJP coalition government of unleashing repression and coercion against entire population in the Valley.
"The PDP-BJP coalition government has unleashed repression and coercion against the entire population and this must stop immediately lest the situation takes such an ugly turn that it will be beyond control of the governments at Srinagar and in New Delhi to handle," he said.
Referring to killings and large scale arrests being made daily in "mistaken belief" of quelling the ongoing unrest, he said it could be described as people's anger against betrayal of PDP by joining hands with BJP.
Addressing workers at Surankote in Poonch district on the conclusion of his four-day visit to border districts of Poonch and Rajouri, Abdullah said normalcy cannot be restored by subjecting people to harassment and intimidation or by rehabilitating jails with "thousands of innocents".
"Peace shall remain a distant dream unless New Delhi addresses the root cause by assuaging political aspirations of Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh," he said, reminding the promises made with people of the state in 1947.
Referring to the statement of former Sadr-e-Riyasat Karan Singh in Parliament recently on the Instrument of Accession, he said younger generation has at least come to know the terms of accession and circumstances that led to its inking by Maharaja Hari Singh.
The NC chief cautioned the central leadership against "crucial delay in reaching out to the people and making sincere efforts in resolving political problem of Kashmir, saying the grim situation in the Valley calls for winning over hearts and minds.
"People's trust and confidence cannot be won by pellet guns or putting youth behind bars," he said, wondering that instead of showing semblances of civility and compassion, the government is indulging in provocations.
"How can they expect students to appear for examinations with many of them being in jails?" he said, adding situation in the Valley is worse, as people are suffering for want of basics, medicare which is worst-hit.
Abdullah alleged continued unrest has unnerved the ruling coalition, which in a bid to divert the attention from current "alarming" situation is brazenly dividing people on the basis of region and religion.
"The RSS, is encouraging polarisation, which is against the idea of secular and inclusive Jammu and Kashmir," he said.
Lamenting that despite making anti-BJP plank its core in 2014 election campaign, PDP turned out to be a biggest facilitator for RSS to play its dubious role in the state.
He urged the people to guard against polarising people in the name of region and religion while reminding them of the sacrifices offered by National Conference to maintain amity and tranquillity even in most turbulent situations.