Srinagar, Jul 8: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said the restoration of statehood to the Union Territory should not be delayed any further, and announced that a protest demonstration would be held at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 20.
Addressing reporters here, CM Omar Abdullah as per Kashmir Convener said a meeting of over 170 civil society representatives, including religious leaders, traders, retired bureaucrats and educationists, had unanimously demanded the immediate restoration of statehood.
“Everyone, without any exception, emphasised that it is too late to return to statehood. The Centre should not delay any longer,” the Chief Minister said.
He said a single resolution was passed at the meeting, calling upon the Government of India to “immediately abolish the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir” — a reference to the demand for restoration.
CM Omar Abdullah said invitations for the July 20 protest would be sent to all political parties in Jammu and Kashmir, including those currently represented in the assembly or having been in the assembly in the past.
He said National Conference president Farooq Abdullah would write to leaders of the INDIA bloc, as well as to parties that are neither with the INDIA bloc nor with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
These include the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Shiromani Akali Dal, Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Telangana’s ruling party, and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati, he said.
“We hope that they will support us on July 20,” CM Omar added.
On administrative issues, CM Omar flagged delays in filling vacancies for doctors, teachers and lecturers, attributing them to mandatory clearances now required from the CID.
“Nowadays, it takes more time to fill these posts than before. Because, I don’t remember, in our time, CID used to play such a big role in appointments as it does today,” he said.
CM Omar said the government had referred these posts to the recruiting agencies and that appointment orders had been prepared and distributed.
“But it is not in our hands. Even then, the orders were prepared. Today, they have been distributed. Very soon, they will start providing education to the children,” he added.
Asked about India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and threats of war from the other side, CM Omar declined to comment.
“I will not answer that question from here,” he said, adding that there had been “no escalation from here.”
He reiterated his party’s long-standing opposition to the treaty, saying, “We have said that the biggest betrayal of India and Pakistan against Jammu and Kashmir was the Indus Waters Treaty.”
On queries regarding the Amarnath Yatra, CM Omar Abdullah said the Supreme Court-mandated cap on the number of pilgrims was binding on the Shrine Board, and that the issue of unregistered pilgrims was being dealt with by the Board.
Asked about reports of the Shiv Lingam melting within six days of the yatra’s commencement, the Chief Minister said, “This is God’s work. How many days to stay or not to stay, neither you nor I can decide.”
CM Omar also said he had spoken to Union Home Minister Amit Shah earlier in the day regarding weather-related difficulties faced in parts of Chenab Valley and Kathua.
“The Home Minister had called to ask about the situation, and I gave him all my information. In future, if we need the help of the Centre, we are ready to seek it,” he said.
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