Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Jan 10: Former Chief Minister and National Conference vice president, Omar Abdullah, today said that Government of India made entire country “fool” on abrogation of Article 370 that the move will end militancy in Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking to reporters in Anantnag, Omar said instead of curbing militancy, the region is witnessing rise in militant activities post-abrogation of special status of J&K that bellies the claims of normalcy by Narendra Modi-led BJP Government.
The former Chief Minister said on August 5, 2019, the BJP Government made deceptive promises to the country over abrogation of Article 370.
“Earlier, it was said that Article 370 pampered militancy in J&K and if it will be finished the region will get militancy-free and people will heave a sigh of relief. But with the passage of time all these promises and assurances have proved deceptive. Instead of curbing militancy, there is a huge rise in militant activities in J&K. The claims of normalcy being made by BJP Government is aimed to make people further fool,” he said.
He said the claims made by BJP on abrogation of Article 370 and 35(A) were “far from realities”. “The situation is out of control and uncontainable in J&K currently. Recently many civilians lost their precious lives in Dhangri Rajouri attack and many suffered grave injuries. GoI is sending more troops to J&K. If BJP claims all is well then what for more troops are being brought here?” he asked.
“On August 5, 2019, the nation was told that the gun in Kashmir is because of Article 370 and with repealing of Article 370, the gun culture will start to subside. However, as is clear, that is not the case on the ground. The kind of attack we saw in Rajouri and the situation in Kashmir, the number of security force personnel are being increased…all these point to the fact that the situation is not under control. The Government is now compelled to take these steps,” he added.
Omar said that election is the right of the people but Kashmiris will not beg before the Centre to hold polls here.
“Election is our Constitutional right. However we will not beg for this right before New Delhi. We are not beggars. BJP don’t want elections here. They are fond of harassing people. They know if polls are held the elected representatives will come to the side of common people and heal their wounds that inflicted BJP after August 2019 till date”, he said.
Asked about the eviction of people from properties and State lands, the NC leader said it was one of the reasons why elections are not being held here.
“That’s why they are not holding elections. They want to ‘harass’ the people. Instead of applying balm to the wounds of people, they seem to have a penchant to aggravate the hurt,” he said.
Omar said the BJP Government knows that an elected Government will try to heal the wounds of the people while they only rub salt and chilli into them.
Asked about the Government’s decision to arm the Village Defence Guards following the Rajouri attack, he said this was an admission by the Government that its claims to the nation at the time of abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 had fallen flat.
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