Former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on May 12 said that 15,000 youths in the state were working for the Intelligence Bureau to spy on the people.
Abdullah, the National Conference president who also heads the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration that wants Article 370 to be restored in the valley again, urged the people to pray for Pakistan.
He also apparently suggested that an unstable neighbour is not good for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Farooq Abdullah also said that: “Look at the situation in Pakistan. You do not know whether that country will survive or not. Their economy is in a mess. They face deluge after deluge. Pray to God to have mercy on that country. The stronger they are, the better we are.”
The Former J&K CM also said that many local Muslims had turned into agents of the BJP-led Union Government.
“You do not know who is with them (the dispensation) and who is with us. You get scared,” Farooq Abdullah said at a gathering in south Kashmir’s Shopian.
The National Conference President was speaking at the death anniversary of party leader Sheikh Muhammad Mansoor at Vehil.
Instigating the people of Kashmir, he said, “Today, the IB (Intelligence Bureau) gives money to our children. They have trained 15,000 youths. They (youths) take money from them (IB) every month. They do not know that they (security establishment) will kill them tomorrow, the way they kill others.”
Farooq Abdullah also said the youths had been given mobile phones so they could tip off the security forces about the activities of others.
“They think it will always be like this. They are giving mobiles to inform them about what is happening where. You please keep a watch over your kids,” he said.
The Central and State intelligence agencies are believed to have a strong network of “agents” or “informers” in Kashmir, but their numbers are not known.
When asked by the reporters whether his claim was true, Farooq Abdullah said: “Is it not true? Many of our youths are sold out. Even our big leaders are sold out, why talk about small kids? They are those who sing praises for other parties. Till yesterday, they were with Pakistan. How did they become Indians?”
“Be cautious and keep a watch on your wards. And strengthen the party (NC). If the party is strong, everything will be strong,” he said.
It is to be noted that Farooq Abdullah appeared to be referring to political parties that are friendly with the BJP.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Kavinder Gupta has accused Farooq Abdullah of making irresponsible statements. “Farooq Abdullah Sahab, you have headed the unified command as chief minister. Were you doing the same (recruiting youths as informers)?” he said.
