RAMBAN: NC Omar Abdullah on Saturday said the local political leaders have grown accustomed to curbs put on their movement post-August 2019 but such measures cannot weaken their connect with the masses.
Following the removal of Article 370, which granted the former state exceptional administrative powers, the former state of Jammu & Kashmir was divided into the two Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir in 2019.
The former chief minister of J&K voiced alarm over the militant activity in the area, adding that even in the region that had been designated militancy-free in the past, terrorism is still present.
At Batote in the Ramban district, Omar was speaking with media outside of a party convention of Chenab valley zone functionaries.
“These constraints on Mehbooba Mufti and other NC officials’ freedom of movement are nothing new. After August 5, 2019, it will be a routine occurrence, and we have become accustomed to it. However, we have also developed the skills to avoid it and fight back, and we will keep doing so, he added.
Omar stated in response to the most recent terrorist attack on migrant labourers in the Shopian district of south Kashmir that “we are repeatedly saying that if they claim that the situation has improved, then why not hold elections.”
He asserted that the terrorist strikes in Shopian, Rajouri, and Poonch disproved the Centre’s lofty claims of increased security.
He said, “Either the assertions are false or we are unable to see the true reality.
This year has seen a number of terror strikes in the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, which have resulted in the deaths of 10 military and 7 civilians.
In places that were deemed to be free of militancy, we are seeing militancy. The attacks are unfathomable, and if they are happening, it is because the administration failed, the NC leader stated.
He also brought up a recruitment scandal from the previous year that the CBI is currently investigating.
“People were promised jobs in August 2019. They released a list, which was then cancelled the following day and followed by an inquiry. Those who were qualified for the positions missed out and exceeded the age limit, he claimed.
After revoking the chosen list of 1,200 Police Sub-Inspectors, 1,300 Junior Engineers, and 1,000 Finance Account Assistants (FAA) due to claims of paper leak and other irregularities, the J&K administration turned over the case to the agency in July.
This government has a reputation for only making difficult decisions when it is necessary, which means it is unable to treat the people fairly anyplace. The citizens have received no relief from this government, he claimed.
Regarding the J&K administration’s decision to donate five marlas of land to the homeless, he claimed that the state’s rules were amended after August 2019 and that this created an issue.
He claimed that before extending the benefits of the programme to anyone, the government must verify how long they have resided in J&K.
“We ask it to set a cutoff date of August 5, 2019, and exclude those from the scheme who came to the Union Territory after that date,” he said.
The Supreme Court will begin hearing a number of cases contesting the abrogation of Article 370 starting next month, according to Omar, who said that the National Conference has its hopes set on the court. “We have faith that justice will be served to the people of J&K.
