Sainik colony issue heats up war between Mehbooba and Omar
Srinagar | May 10 (PTK): The Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and former chief minister Omar Abdullah have locked horns over the serious issue of establishment Sainik Colony for the soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir. If the land is allocated, it won’t be wrong to say that it will turn into a Amarnath land row like situation.
While Mehbooba maintains that there is no such proposal to set up separate colony for soldiers, Omar Abdullah circulated a document online, purporting to a proposal to allot land for a Sainik Colony. He then tweeted: “If you have the guts and truly believe this image (posted online) is fake, file a case against me in the nearest police station today. If you haven’t filed a case against me in the next 24 hours, the people will know who is lying in this matter @mehbooba_mufti. Truth prevails (sic).”
Accusing Mehbooba of lying on the issue of establishing a Sainik Colony for ex-servicemen, Omar dared the PDP-BJP ruling dispensation “to lodge a police complaint if his proof was a fake”.
According to the document, the J&K Rajya Sainik Board (RSB), headed by Governor N N Vohra, held a meeting on April 16 at the Raj Bhawan in Jammu.
“The Secretary RSB informs the Board members that Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, had agreed for allotment of 173 kanals of land on payment in the Old Air Field Area (Srinagar) and the case was taken up with the State Home Department.
“However, after obtaining written commitment from the beneficiaries, the number of aspirants increased to 26 officers, 15 JCOs and 900 others requiring a total of 350 kanals of land. Accordingly, a revised proposal has been forwarded to the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, and the State Home Department,” it reads.
Mehbooba continues to deny it saying “Neither a Chief Minister nor a Prime Minister of the country can dilute the special status of J&K. Omar has been a chief minister himself and knows it,” She said.
Mufti accused Abdullah of spreading lies.
But only time will tell who is telling the truth and who is lying. But the issue surely needs to be handled with care before the situation turns out of hand. (PTK)