‘Stay alert during Amarnath Yatra’

JAMMU: Asserting that peace cannot be restored by the use of army and police in Kashmir, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah batted for bringing all political parties on board to find out a way to tackle this grave situation and said people want their families protected.

Abdullah asked the government to be “very alert” during forthcoming Amarnath yatra and said if there is one single untoward incident during the yatra, there will be countrywide repercussions.

“They (government) will have to think about the security aspect. They will have to do something (to ensure security of these Hindu employees),” Abdullah said.

The former chief minister said that nothing (resorting of peace) will happen without it. “It (restoration of peace) cannot be restored through army and police,” he said.

In reply to a question about the security challenge to the Amarnath Yatra, he said, “God forbid, if there is even one untoward incident, repercussion of which will not only be faced by Jammu and Kashmir but entire India. They (government) have to be very alert and cautious.”

Asked about suspension of Mata Kheer Bhawan yatra in Kashmir, he said that security and safety is prime thing for anyone and his family. “If a person is not safe, how can he run daily affairs. Everyone seeks safety first and safety of the family. There is no safety and security today.” Asserting that there cannot be peace in Jammu and Kashmir till “you win hearts of the people”, Abdullah said killing of a teacher gives a vivid picture of security situation and shows the level of peace prevailing in the Union territory.