Bhaderwah: Reiterating his commitment for restoration of its special status, the former Chief Minister and National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah on Wednesday criticized BJP for dividing erstwhile J&K state into two UTs on “false promises.”
“They did so although it was not demanded by people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Abdullah was addressing a public meeting at Dak Bungalow Bhaderwah on the penultimate day of his eight-day tour of Chenab valley.
Referring to, what he said, “the unilateral decisions” of August 5, 2019, he said that all the projected promises deflated and the ground situation belied the claims of the central government. He said that the soaring unemployment rate, high inflation, and administrative inertia proved the claims of the Government of India hollow.
Reiterating his party’s stand on the restoration of constitutional rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah said, “We are fighting for exclusive rights of our youth on jobs, we are fighting for our land rights, we are struggling for restoration of democracy, we are fighting for the future of our children and the forthcoming generations. There is no question of pulling out from this struggle. Our means are peaceful, democratic, and constitutional.”
“Far from bringing peace and development to the region, the days and months that followed the unilateral and unconstitutional decisions of 5 August 2019 saw the return of targeted killings, return of bunkers, political instability, insecurity and escalation of violence. Today forces are being stationed in marriage halls, forces imprint has increased on ground. Pockets, which were declared militancy free, are again witnessing a rise in militancy related incidents. In our times, nearly 40 bunkers were removed in Srinagar. Today Srinagar presents a garrison-like look,” he said.