"Appeasement is over, let us live on our own terms": Kashmiri leader Bilal Gani Lone

New Delhi [India], April 27 (ANI): Bilal Gani Lone, former separatist leader who joined mainstream politics over two years ago, on Sunday said in an exclusive conversation with ANI that Kashmiris must be allowed to live in peace and harmony. He highlighted that nearly 2,000 people have been apprehended in the valley.
"Appeasement policy is over. Let us live on our own terms, [Kashmiris want to live] in peace and harmony. Give them respect. Those who misbehave should not get an address anywhere. That's it. There is no other option," Lone, elder son of Hurriyat Conference (HC) leader and founder of the People's Conference, Abdul Ghani Lone, told ANI.
Lone went on to claim that 2,000 people have been apprehended in the valley, while asserting that the focus should be on those involved in certain activities. He further claimed that after the abrogation of Article 370, the newly appointed civil servants in the valley were instructed to "straighten out these people."
"2,000 people remain behind bars in Kashmir, including those who left militancy. You should catch those who are 100 per cent involved. Those who have already left (militancy), what can they do? I think the local administration needs to be told. After 2019, Kashmir witnessed the influx of a new crop of civil servants, and they were told ki pitaya kar dijiye inki (that they should be straightened out)," Lone added.
Moreover, talking about the tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Lone said that even 20 security personnel would have prevented this incident from happening.
"To be honest, if there were 50 or at least 20 personnel from security forces present there, not even a single man would have died," he said.
His remarks come as the country mourns the loss of 26 people, who were gunned down by terrorists in Pahalgam on April 22. The deadly incident has intensified diplomatic responses amid heightened security concerns between the two neighbouring countries. (ANI)