"Don't wish us away": Former separatist leader Bilal Gani Lone says terrorists do not represent people of Kashmir

New Delhi [India], April 27 (ANI): In the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, former separatist leader Bilal Gani Lone has called for peace and coexistence between communities, stressing that the action of the terrorists does not represent the sentiments of the people of the Union Territory.
"Co-existence is very important," said Lone, the son of Abdul Ghani Lone, the founder of the People's Conference, in an exclusive interview with ANI.
Further, he said that the BJP is the political reality of Kashmir, "whether we like it or not."
"Talk to us with love, don't wish us (Kashmiris) away", he said.
Lone said that extremist activities have caused suffering to ordinary Kashmiris, pointing out that Kashmiris were among the first to rush to help during the attack on April 22.
"Extremists played their game in Kashmir, now the Kashmiris are getting beaten up. We got the call and everyone ran (for their help). Not that we have not done anything wondrous. We will do the same thing for everyone....We don't want any medals, but then you look at the media, you started doing the 'Hindu-Muslim'," Lone said.
Lone, in the ANI interview, also underlined that the terrorists who carried out the Pahalgam attack do not represent the people of Kashmir.
"They are not our ambassadors. They are not our prophets. They are not my researchers who have done this work. This is why you get killed. They don't represent the... psyche of the majority of Muslims," he said.
Lone also advocated for peace and harmony while demanding strict action against the terrorists.
"Kashmir wants to live in peace, harmony, give the people respect, and punish the miscreants. Let us live on our own terms," he said.
When asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech in Bihar days after the terror attack, Lone said India will not go to war. "...Those who fight wars don't talk. Unleash the missile, trust me, everyone will get freedom," Lone said.
Speaking about the situation in Kashmir, Lone said it would never return to the days of the 1990s.
"We have seen much worse times than this. No, the situation is not back to 1990 at all. It will never be like that," he said.
On April 22, terrorists targeted tourists at Baisaran meadow, gunning down 26 people and injuring several others. It was one of the deadliest attacks in the region since the 2019 Pulwama attack, which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF jawans. (ANI)