Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Jul 08: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said all political parties in Jammu and Kashmir, along with leaders of the INDIA bloc and other regional parties across the country, are being invited to join the National Conference’s proposed July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
He said Jammu and Kashmir’s civil society has unanimously backed the demand for early restoration of statehood.
Speaking to reporters here, Omar, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said invitations are being sent to all political parties in Jammu and Kashmir. At the same time, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah will reach out to leaders of the INDIA bloc as well as other regional parties outside both the INDIA alliance and the NDA.
“We hope they will join us and support this protest on July 20,” Abdullah said.
He said nearly 170 representatives from different sections of society, including religious leaders, traders, educationists, retired bureaucrats and tourism stakeholders, participated in a meeting that lasted almost three hours.
“It was not a delegation but a meeting of civil society. Everyone, without exception, felt that restoration of statehood has already been delayed for too long and cannot be postponed any further,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the participants unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Government of India to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and also extended support to the proposed July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar.
On the shortage of staff in key sectors, Omar said the government is working to fill vacancies, particularly those of doctors, teachers and lecturers. “We are constantly trying to fill these gaps. Recruitment takes time because the process, including verification, is lengthy, but appointment orders are being issued,” he said.
Referring to reports claiming that 1,544 schools in Jammu and Kashmir are functioning with a single teacher, CM Abdullah said the figures were based on an old report and that the government would place updated data before the Assembly.
On the recent heavy rainfall that affected parts of the Chenab Valley and Kathua, Omar said Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to him on Wednesday morning to review the situation.
“The Home Minister called to enquire about the situation. I briefed him, and he assured all possible assistance from the Centre if required,” he said.
The Chief Minister added that prolonged wars are pushing up oil prices and affecting economies worldwide. “The biggest solution is that the war must end. Rising oil prices are increasing the cost of development works and affecting economies,” he said.
On the Indus Waters Treaty, Omar reiterated his long-held opposition to the agreement, saying Jammu and Kashmir never had control over its rivers.
Responding to a question on the early melting of the Amarnath cave ice Shivling, the Chief Minister said there is already a Supreme Court-mandated cap on the number of pilgrims and that the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board is responsible for regulating unregistered visitors.
“As far as the Shivling is concerned, that is in God’s hands. We cannot decide how many days it should remain,” he said.
Notably, the National Conference had earlier announced that it would hold a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to press for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood—(KNO)
