Farooq had warned of violence

Farooq had warned of violence
AASHA KHOSA

NEW DELHI, AUGUST 4: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah had warned the Centre against slowing down anti-insurgency operations in the wake of Hizbul Mujahideen's cease-fire offer as he had feared large-scale violence in the state.

National Conference sources told The Indian Express that Farooq had specially flown to Delhi to convey his fears to Home Minister L K Advani last week, immediately after his trip from the South and North-eastern states, where he had propagated his proposals for greater autonomy for J&K. He had met National Conference MPs before his breakfast meeting with Advani and briefed them about his mission. "While we realise that Hizbul's offer would bring about peace in Kashmir, Farooq saheb was wary of the group's real intentions and also about the backlash by the groups of mercenaries, who were opposed to the talks," a party MP said.

Farooq wanted Advani to continue the anti-insurgency campaign by security forces without any let-up. He feared that the insurgent groups opposed to Hizbul's gesture would take advantage of the security lapse and strike ruthlessly.

The Centre had also shown helplessness in providing more security forces to J&K in the wake of the threat, which seemed to loom large at that stage. The bulk of Central security forces on counter-insurgency operations had been diverted for the Amarnath pilgrimage and as such the State Government felt the security operations had become lax. Besides, the State did not have enough forces to even make security arrangements for the Independence Day celebrations.