Jammu, Nov 27: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah today asked his successor Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to "reconsider" his government's policy of releasing jailed militants.
"What is the use of releasing militants if the people are not feeling secure (after their release)?" Abdullah, who visited the Raghunath Temple here which was attacked by militants on Sunday, asked. He told reporters that he had reports that security forces were feeling demoralised by the steps taken by the present government in the state.

"By releasing the militants, the coalition government wants to make us believe that the situation is improving. But it cannot be so as militants are hell-bent to destroy us and they are not going to change their stance or policy," he said. "They (militants) keep crying that Jammu and Kashmir is not part of India. Then what is the use in talking to them?, how can the state government which says it wants to strengthen India hold talks with them?" Abdullah asked. He said that the government should not take any step which would affect the security of the nation.
On the disbanding of Special Operations Group, Abdullah wondered how government functionaries were going to move around without them.

Referring to the recent attack on two temples in the city, the former chief minister said, "Our neighbouring country has been continuing with its machinations to create communal wedge in Jammu by such attacks. But every time their designs are being defeated by the people."

Bureau Report