Srinagar, Feb 15: After Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram warned of action against the Peoples Democratic Party for displaying controversial State-map, the party president Mahbooba Mufti Monday accused New Delhi of being silent on Chinese incursions in Jammu and Kashmir.“PDP is the only party which talks about the parts of JK’s territory under China. When we talk about final Kashmir resolution,
we demand JK’s territory under China back,” Mahbooba told Rising Kashmir at her Gupkar residence.She said the party displayed the map of erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir which includes the then territory currently under China’s control. “One should not forget that Kashmir used to remain connected with Central Asian countries like Iran, China and Afghanistan through the ancient routes like Yarkand and Kashkghar.
we demand JK’s territory under China back,” Mahbooba told Rising Kashmir at her Gupkar residence.She said the party displayed the map of erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir which includes the then territory currently under China’s control. “One should not forget that Kashmir used to remain connected with Central Asian countries like Iran, China and Afghanistan through the ancient routes like Yarkand and Kashkghar.
About Home Minister’s warning, the PDP chief said, “I respect Chidambaram. But instead of issuing warnings against PDP, he (Home Minister) should check the Chinese incursions in Ladakh and settle the visa row with Beijing as well”.
She said India takes bold stand when it comes to getting back the part of Kashmir under Pakistan. “But it (India) seems to be afraid to talk about Chinese incursions and the huge infrastructure including roads being built by China in Ladakh,” she said.
Claiming that China is constructing huge infrastructure especially roads every year on the State’s territory, Mahbooba said, “Why isn’t India talking about such things”.
“We want freedom to walk on all ancient routes of the State. We want restoration of all roads which were used by the people of Kashmir when they were travelling on horses. We have Karakoram pass, which can connect JK not just with India but with the rest of the world as well. We want JK to be trade-hub and a gateway of Central Asian countries,” she said.
The PDP chief said her party’s stand had been to see Kashmir as it existed before 1947, which means Prime Minister, Governor (elected), joint council having member of PaK as well, dual currency, State as a free economic zone and full administrative powers.
The PDP in a power-point presentation in Srinagar on Saturday depicted Aksai Chin in red colour and as part of China, while the Pakistan Administered Kashmir was coloured in green.
The move, however, triggered strong criticism first by the chief minister Omar Abdullah and then by Home Minister.
“Mahbooba should clear her stand on map. We cannot gift State’s territory to China,” Omar had said.
Chidambaram had also reacted sharply to the development. He told a news channel that PDP had made a big mistake and if it did not correct it, he would take action against it. (Writer-South Asia)
