Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, May 28: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress (JKPCC) president, Saif-ud-Din Soz’s change of stand on Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) would help him at the Centre for revocation of the Act from parts of the State.
While talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function after laying of a foundation stone for Central University in his home constituency in the Central Kashmir district of Ganderbal, Omar said: “I feel there has been some change in that thought. Obviously, his support in Delhi will go a long way for us to convince centre on the need to take this step.”
Chief Minister expressed his satisfaction over Prof Soz’s change of stance on AFSPA. “I am glad that Soz is seeing things the way he is seeing it, because earlier he had publicly expressed reservations over removal of AFSPA selectively,” he said.
Prof Soz had said yesterday during Mahila Congress function at Congress headquarters in Srinagar that time had come for partial revocation of AFSPA from parts of the State. He, however, had said the Army and intelligence agencies needed to be taken on board and issue should not be politicised.
On politicisation of the issue raised by Prof Soz, Omar said there was no question of politicising the revocation of AFSPA on his part. “At least from my side, this has not been politicised, nor will it be politicised in future,” he assured.
The Chief Minister said that he has taken up the issue of the AFSPA revocation with Centre, but could not set a time frame when the revocation will take place. “I cannot predict future, but will keep trying for revocation of the AFSPA,” he added.
On invoking the AFSPA in Chhattisgarh in the wake of the killing of 28 persons including top Congress leadership of the State, Omar said it was for the Centre and Chhattisgarh Governments to decide on the strategy to be adopted for dealing with the situation and invoking of the AFSPA.
“The kind of attacks we are seeing taking place in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, we have not perhaps seen such sort of attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. What strategy the Centre and the State Governments devise to deal with these attacks, is up to them. We can only give our opinion in a closed room,” the Chief Minister said.
On China constructing road inside Indian territory in Ladakh, Omar said Government of India should take up the issue with China.
“We don’t have any objection if they build roads on their side of LAC. If they do it in our side of the LAC, then, obviously, Defence Ministry and External Affairs Ministry will have to take up the issue with China,” the Chief Minister said.
Omar, however, said: “Till now, I don’t have any report from the local administration of Ladakh region that would suggest that the Chinese have constructed a road inside the Indian territory.”
On Kashmiri students being viewed with suspicion outside the State, the Chief Minister said the tendency needs to be changed. “Whether it is January 26 or August 15, our students are viewed with suspicion outside the State. Our students are denied accommodation when they go to study outside. I request that this attitude be changed.”
“It happened late, but it finally happened right. I was worried about the delay in the setting up of the Central University. I thank the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson and the Prime Minister for giving us two Central Universities. Our children have already proved their talent in various fields. All they need is a platform,” Omar said.
The Chief Minister demanded from the VC: “We have given our lands for setting up the university and we have no other means of sustenance. The University must ensure that smaller works inside the campus is allotted to local contractors.”
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