Interlocutors' visit to Kashmir a success: Omar Abdullah

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Monday defended his remark on Instrument of Accession saying that what he said was based on his historic assessment and described interlocutors’ maiden visit to Kashmir “a success”. HT reports.

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Monday defended his remark on Instrument of Accession saying that what he said was based on his historic assessment and described interlocutors’ maiden visit to Kashmir “a success”.

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In an interview to a New Delhi-based news channel, Omar, who in J&K assembly speech in October accused the Centre of robbing state of its autonomy by diluting instrument of accession, said: “What I said is based on my assessment of the historic facts that have governed Kashmir’s accession to India. Those who had some knowledge about this agreed with me...I have no problem with those having no knowledge or who rely on jingoism.”

Omar described interlocutors' visit a success. “Today everybody talks about what interlocutors have said by virtue of who they met, what they have said and their mandate given by India with no redlines drawn. They have to some extent change discourse here. What the interlocutors are saying matters more than those who have refused to meet them,” said J&K chief minister while referring to the separatists who decided to boycott the interlocutors.

Abdullah said New Delhi should talk to United Jehad Council chief Syed Salahuddin. “We may not like it but his (Salahuddin) opinion is relevant in Kashmir. In Irish model the interlocutors and stake holders had to engage militants at one point of time,” said Abdullah.

He said that the shutdown politics is losing steam in Kashmir. “Earlier people would observe strike on their own but now there are goonda element who coerce people and enforce shutdown. (Syed Ali Shah) Geelani should understand this..there is no need to call for more shutdown now,” said Omar.