'Govt should probe overseas funding of Hurriyat'

new delhi: the government should thoroughly probe the overseas funding of hurriyat conference and other separatist outfits in jammu and kashmir and get it stopped immediately, omar abdullah, minister of state for external affairs said here on thursday. "when their (hurriyat conference's) funds will be stopped once for all, they will come to the negotiating table and also make attempts to restore peace in the state," abdullah told reporters at the foreign correspondents club here. related stories he said it was such funding that was keeping them going. "once it comes to zero, their minds will also start thinking in a constructive way," he said. about the statement of prime minister atal bihari vajpayee from the ramparts of red fort on wednesday assuring free and fair elections in jammu and kashmir, abdullah said "the prime minister's speech was aimed at addressing the issues raised by some leaders including shabir shah and some hurriyat leaders, who want to contest in the elections." asked whether this was an adequate hint that past elections in the state were rigged, abdullah said "i wonder, how could national conference rig the elections in 1996, when it had no say in the administration and the polls were held under the central rule." the minister said "instead those, who cry for fair elections, rigged these by intimidating the voters by putting up threatening posters." regretting that religious institutions like mosques were used by hurriyat leaders and other militant groups to spread their reign of terror, abdullah said "when i was contesting from my constituency, posters were pasted in mosques" intimidating my voters. "is this not rigging? why is the press and so called champions of human rights silent over this issue," abdullah asked and assured "that if hurriyat conference reins in the militants, elections would not be held under the shadow of gun." he said the presence of security forces was necessary during the elections to instil confidence in voters. asked whether hurriyat could come to the negotiating table, he said "now they are demanding a fresh invitation. what for? we have already invited them and it stands even now. they are most welcome to talk to the centre's interlocutor k c pant." responding to questions about the separatist leader shabir shah, abdullah said "he (shah) is only making public postures. initially he said elections should be held under the supervision of the united nations. later it was international observers and now it is indian intellectuals." however, abdullah made it clear that the state government had no problems with the "intellectuals" moving in the state during elections but they cannot be given a status as observer because we have an impartial election commission and vigilant judiciary to oversee the elections."