Peoples Conference president and MLA from Handwara, Sajad Lone, on Wednesday seconded the BJP’s demand for the creation of a separate Jammu state, saying he prayed for such a development and termed it “true liberation.” In a statement, Lone was responding to demands raised by some BJP leaders, including former minister Sham Lal Sharma, seeking declaration of the Jammu region as a separate state. “I pray to God that separation becomes possible. It would be true liberation. But beware, the big crocodiles will invent new stories tomorrow. Still, despite everything, we hope this comes to pass,” he said. Calling it a “rare and golden moment” for Kashmiris, Lone urged people not to be misled by what he described as hollow slogans. He also challenged National Conference president Farooq Abdullah’s insistence on the continued unity of Jammu and Kashmir, questioning who would bear the burden of this “so-called unity.” Lone said Kashmir’s unemployed youth were paying the price every day, adding that Kashmiris, numbering six to seven million, were being asked to shoulder responsibilities disproportionate to their population. “Did we ever sign a contract to safeguard secularism?” he asked. The Peoples Conference leader said that while Kashmiri leaders often claim the moral high ground of secularism, Kashmiri students continue to face assaults, humiliation and targeting across the country. He argued that the people of the Valley had never consented to bear what he termed a “disproportionate burden.” Referring to incidents involving Kashmiri students and shawl sellers in mainland India, Lone said these exposed the hypocrisy behind claims of secular unity used to justify keeping Jammu and Kashmir together. Expressing personal respect for Farooq Abdullah, Lone said he was politically opposed to him. He also alleged that reservation policies had systematically reduced job opportunities for Kashmiris by diverting them to Jammu. “Who will pay the price? Who will absorb this loss?” he asked.