Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 17: Former Chief Minister and National Conference vice president, Omar Abdullah today questioned the Centre over alleged inaction in the spike in militant attacks in Jammu region.
Omar said that the Doda incident was not the first time and that Jammu had been under attack for the past year.
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“When you ask about Doda, it looks like it has happened for the first time. But the truth is that in the last year, there have been continuous attacks in Jammu region, at many places,” he said.
“…and today hardly any area is free from militancy, whether it is Pir Panjal or Chenab Valley. The attacks are continuous, and districts like Doda, Samba, Jammu, and Kathua have also witnessed incidents. In the past year, nearly 55 brave soldiers of the security forces, including officers and jawans, have been killed,” he said.
Omar also urged the Government and police forces to take responsibility for the situation.
“In this situation, we are compelled to ask what is the Government doing? Whenever an attack occurs, they claim that militancy is on its last legs and ending, but we do not see this happening. The killings continue unabated, yet the Government remains silent on steps to curb them. We hope that appropriate measures will be taken to bring the situation under control and hold someone accountable,” he added.
The NC leader said that nobody said about the steps to curb the militancy. “Action should be taken,” he demanded.
In response to the DGP’s recent comments on regional political parties, the NC leader said that he should focus on his job.
“The DGP made a political statement. It would have been better to leave politics to the politicians. We would have preferred to hear from the DG about the steps taken to curb militancy and improve the situation amidst the spate of attacks in Jammu. Leave the politics to us, we cannot maintain law and order or secure borders, nor can we fight militancy, despite our party being among its worst sufferers. We can assist the Government but cannot combat militancy; that is the responsibility of the DG. Let him do his job, and let us do ours,” he said.
Omar said that the police chief should discuss the measures taken to control militancy. “He should fulfil his role and allow us to fulfil ours,” he said.
Regarding the arrest of several mourners during processions, Omar said that it should not have occurred, as they only come to mourn. “Such actions should not happen. This disparity does not occur with any other religion, and I do not understand why targeting Muslims is so straightforward for them,” he said.
On granting additional powers to the LG, the NC leader said that they expected this to happen, as power does not remain with the people in the UT. “This is a temporary matter, as the Prime Minister and Home Minister have stated that Statehood will be restored after elections. We are hopeful that Statehood will be reinstated before the elections, as the Union Territory has failed in Jammu, against militancy, in development, and in every other aspect. Therefore, it would be preferable to restore Statehood, conduct elections, and return power to the people,” he said.
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