BJP asks separatists to view plights of their counterparts in POK

New Delhi, Aug 26 (UNI) Taking strong exception to the threats of separatists seeking to go over to the other side of the LOC, the BJP today said they should look into the plight of their counterparts in the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) who suffered silently, unabled to raise their voices, without democracy and freedom at the hands of oppressive Pakistan.

BJP spokesman Ravishankar Prasad said it was one thing to issue threats but they should realise the realities of what was happening in the POK before exercising their option. There was no freedom and no democracy or Article 370 in that portion and efforts were made to change the demography of Gilgit and Baltistan regions in POK, he said. ''We only ask the separatists to make introspection before they utter their threats,'' he added.

Quoting the reports of the European Parliament, Mr Prasad said they had recorded how the POK was used for training militants and terrorists against Afghanistan and India.

Decrying the tendency in a section of the media to argue for India giving up Kashmir valley, the BJP spokesman said the party respected freedom of expression but that did not mean that they could go the extent of working against the interest of the nation and the people. If their arguments is accepted than India will have to accept fragmentation in Assam, Northeast and even in Southern peninsula where secessionist voices were raised often.

He said considering the fragile political situation prevailing in Pakistan, the Government of India should step up the vigil on the borders especially in Jammu and Kashmir.

UNI MCN KAS SP AS1740