Ex-CM seeks clarity on data collection by police
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 8: Former J&K Chief Minister and National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah today criticised the Government for its alleged failure on the security front, stating that the recent targeted killings in Srinagar points towards adverse situation, contrary to the claims of normalcy made by the Government.
While condemning the terror attack, Omar extended condolences to the families of the two non-locals killed by terrorists on Wednesday. In the first targeted killing of this year, terrorists on Wednesday shot dead two workers from Punjab, including a Sikh hailing from Amritsar in Srinagar City.
Amritpal Singh, a resident of Amritsar, was shot by the terrorists from the point-blank range at Shalla Kadal in the City and died on the spot, while Rohit, aged 25, who was injured in the firing, succumbed to his injuries today.
“If they claim about a double-engine government and despite such claims, if terror attacks continue in Srinagar, it is their failure on the security front,” Omar told media-persons on the sidelines of party meeting at Jammu office today.
Former CM held the Government responsible for the current security situation in the erstwhile state and said, “J&K is directly controlled from New Delhi. The budget is passed from there, and the LG Sahib (Manoj Sinha) also receives directions from there.”
Expressing condolences for the victims’ families, he said, “We deeply regret that two guests from outside have fallen victim to bullets. One died yesterday, and another succumbed to his injuries in the hospital today. We extend our sympathies to their families. This attack deserves strong condemnation.”
Taking a dig at the Government, Omar said such attacks have been occurring in Srinagar for the past few years. “The targeted killings in the heart of the city indicate that the situation is bad contrary to the Government’s claims (of normalcy),” he remarked.
Criticising the Government’s assertions of normalcy, he said, “They had claimed that guns would fall silent once Article 370 is removed. However, we are witnessing a chain of terror attacks and incidents in Srinagar, Rajouri and Poonch, where such occurrences were absent in the past.”
Responding to a question about Prime Minister Modi’s remarks about achieving 400 plus seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the NC leader said that first, they should address the safety and security of people’s lives instead of focusing on these ‘400 plus’ remarks.
Earlier, addressing party meeting (delegate session) Omar asked under what authority the underway census by J&K police is being carried out, saying the exercise has raised concerns among the general public.
“There is no let up in the problems being suffered by the people as households are being sent absurd and humiliating documents,” Omar said, asking what legitimate objectives could justify such a comprehensive data collection regarding inhabitants and its potential use.
Omar further asked the functionaries to prepare for the elections as and when they are held, saying that BJP cannot continue to shy away from elections. “One day they will have to comply with the directives of the Supreme Court to hold elections. Once the elections are announced, we will show them where we stand and where they stand,” he asserted.
The NC leader said that BJP was dressing up its failures as success, saying the prevailing ground situation in terms of deteriorating security situation, unemployment, development deficit and administrative inertia run contrary to their claims.
Senior party leaders Ali Mohd Sagar, Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamaal, Ajay Kumar Sadhotra, Rattan Lal Gupta, Sheikh Bashir Ahmed, Javed Ahmed Rana, Abdul Gani Malik, Ajaz Jan, Qazi Jalal Ud Din, Bimla Luthra and others were also present.
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