National Conference to take on ‘anti-peace’ forces

JAMMU - The ruling National Conference (NC) will take on the “anti-peace” forces in Jammu and Kashmir and push for a result-oriented India-Pakistan dialogue while simultaneously seeking an end to the era of confusion on Kashmir, a top committee of the party resolved Saturday.

Holding its first Central Working Committee meet in months, the National Conference leadership gave clear hints that it would steer the state out of all sorts of crises.

The National Conference leaders, including its president and union New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah, and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah began the meeting at their party headquarters here, party sources said.

A unanimous call was given for “strengthening the party and taking on all those who have worked or continue to work against peace in the state”, the sources said.

Farooq Abdullah, who presided over the meeting, told the party leaders that an opportunity has re-appeared with India and Pakistan resuming their dialogue.

“This is a good sign,” he said.

“The NC will continue to plead for sustained dialogue between the two countries and also with Delhi holding substantive talks with all sections in Kashmir, including those who of late have not been responding to the invitation for talks,” he said.

But Abdullah said the NC as a premier party of the state has its role and it would continue to play it effectively.

His stress was on putting the NC as a protagonist of dialogue and peace and exposing the “designs of those who have been disturbing peace in Kashmir”, the sources said.

The main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is also scheduled to hold its strategy session to bring sharper focus on the resolution of the Kashmir crisis.