SRINAGAR: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday flagged off the first electric train in the Kashmir valley and the train service between Sangaldan station and Baramulla station, the move drew praise from National Conference Chief Farooq Abdullah who expressed his thanks to Prime Minister Modi.

“We needed it. It is important for our tourism and people. This is a big step that has been taken today. I congratulate the Railway Ministry, PM Modi for this," said National Conference Chief Farooq Abdullah.( HT News Network)

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President and Member Parliament Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday said that the issue of Palestine if left unaddressed will have far reaching consequences on the long term peace and stability of the entire West Asia region.

Interacting with the press on the side-lines of an event in Srinagar, Farooq said, “I am really sad that no one is raising a voice about the plight of Palestinians in the United Nations”.

He said “it’s very unfortunate to see marked change in India's stance on Palestine”, Farooq said and added “India's stand on Palestine has traditionally been guided by the ideals of Nehru and Gandhi. Our people have historically been supportive of Palestinian people and its claims.”

The former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said, “It's unfortunate that our government had not even made a token appeal for restraint and ceasefire, negating the vision of support to the Palestinian cause articulated by Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru." (UNI)

SRINAGAR: National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Monday alleged that the authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have established a system to keep the people in “fear and terror”.

“There is a blanket ban on raising the voices and speaking the truth”, Farooq said while addressing people in central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Monday.

He alleged that a situation of “fear and terror” has been created in Jammu and Kashmir to keep people away from speaking the truth.

The former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir said that freedom of press has been stifled and newspapers have become mouthpieces of the government and publish only government rhetoric.

The member parliament said that drug abuse has destroyed the young generations. If the trend continued the future of the youth would be quite bleak, he added.

He said concrete steps need to be taken to eradicate the menace of drug abuse from society.

“Everybody has to play his role to stop drug menace from the society”, he said and added “if the trend continues it would destroy the generations and the nation may have to face a lot of difficulties in future”. (UNI)