JAMMU: Former chief minister and National Conference working president Omar Abdullah today asked Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to own the responsibility of 2016 Kashmir unrest, in which around 100 people died and thousands got injured.
”If you are not willing to take responsibility of 2016 turmoil in Kashmir, then you have no right to remain in chair,” Mr Abdullah told Ms Mufti during discussion on Kashmir unrest in the House on the second day of the Budget session here in the Legislative Assembly.
Mr Abdullah said that when he was the Chief Minister and Kashmir was on boil in 2008 and 2010, he never blamed anybody else for the disaster, but himself as a head of the State.
”I get disturbed and upset when I think of 2010 unrest, only my God knows how I feel,” he said, adding that he never blamed Pakistan for the situation, neither criticised the opposition, nor took action against the officers, but owned the moral responsibility.
”I was in chair at that time (2008, 2010), so it was my duty and responsibility to take care of the situation,” said the former chief minister. He said it was unfortunate that for 2016 Kashmir unrest, instead of owing the responsibility, ”you (PDP-BJP Government), blamed others”, did not spare even media, newspaper offices were raided and seized.
”We are more concerned and worried about the prevailing situation,” he said, adding that National Conference is still playing the similar role when were in government and you (PDP) are still behaving like an opposition.
”Like you did and demanded ouster of Omar Abdullah for 2010 killings, we never did that, we never asked for you to step down because we know that you will never,” he said.
Mr Abdullah lashed out at PDP-BJP for creating confusion and misinforming people on Burhan Wani’s killing.
”You (Mehbooba) said that if you will fail, will step down and it is hence proved that you have failed in controlling the situation, then what decision you have taken,” he said and added that he knows that the PDP leader will never step down.
The NC leader also blamed the government for the deaths of an ATM guard and a school lecturer, alleging that they were innocents and murdered, so sought probe and action into the cases.
”You are giving clean chit to yourself by holding responsible to others for Kashmir unrest in 2016 but the facts will never change,” said Mr Abdullah.
The way he owned the responsibility for 2008, 2010, will she (Mehbooba) own it, he said, adding ”be responsible and own the responsibility, otherwise you have no right to remain in chief ministerial chair.”
”Show sympathy, own responsibility and this is what we expect it from you,” said Mr Abdullah.
People of Kashmir are looking for Ms Mufti, who used to be their voice, he said and hit out at the PDP for having alliance with the BJP. (AGENCIES)
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