‘Asking youth not to take gun since 1988-89’
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 30: National Conference vice president and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today asserted that industrial investments being claimed by present regime in Jammu and Kashmir are not visible on ground and that stones (foundation) are being laid and ribbons cut of old development works.
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“Where are the investors? Just show me,”? Omar asked in response to a question during an interview to a national Hindi news channel at his house in Srinagar.
Responding to a question by the interviewer on the visit of United Arab Emirates (UAE) delegation to Jammu and Kashmir for investments, the National Conference leader said there is nothing new in it. Earlier also they used to come, he added.
Without referring to foundation stone laying ceremony and launching of projects worth Rs 20,000 crore in Jammu and Kashmir by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit here on April 24, Omar said the stones are being laid and ribbons cut for old works.
The Congress had earlier made similar claims.
“Right from 1988-89, we have been advising youth against picking up guns. We have been telling them that it’s wrong path and will lead nowhere. Farooq Abdullah said this in Hazratbal mosque also. We did our best. We tried to make them understand,” he added.
Asserting that situation is not normal in Kashmir as being claimed by the Central Government , Omar said they had claimed that every problem will be over in Jammu and Kashmir with abrogation of Article 370.
“By keeping Jamia Masjid closed for prayers, they (the Government) have admitted that situation is not conducive. In our times also, Jamia Masjid was closed for some time but we admitted that situation wasn’t normal then. They too must admit this,” he added.
The former Chief Minister said they didn’t create any uproar over construction of (Ram) temple as it was ordered by the court. No Muslim took to streets, he asserted.
However, as far as abrogation of Article 370, granting special status to Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, the Supreme Court will hear the issue after summer vacation, he noted.
Omar alleged discrimination by the present dispensation in providing security to political leaders. Security is being given to leaders of selected political parties and not all, he said.
Responding to a question on power cuts during holy month of Ramazan in Jammu and Kashmir, the National Conference leader observed that either the cuts or intentional or they show carelessness of the Power Development Department. Earlier, there used to be no, or very rare, power cuts during Ramazan, he said.
Asserting that they now feel that status of Muslims in the country is going down, Omar said they are playing with sentiments and emotions of the minorities.
He described as wrong the decision to close down shops of meat during Navratras saying now month of Ramazan is on and the people in Kashmir have kept their shops open to facilitate tourists and others visiting the Valley. In Lal Chowk, vendors are selling ice creams though they don’t eat anything during the day in the holy month.
“Narendra Modi has said it time and again that he is the Prime Minister of all Indians and not a Group. I hope the Government will recognize fears among the minorities and remove them,” Omar said.
On the statement of AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi that the Government is playing with sentiments and emotions of minorities, the National Conference leader replied in positive.
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