Examiner Bureau | Srinagar:
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday reiterated his government’s commitment to securing the restoration of statehood and other constitutional guarantees for Jammu and Kashmir, saying his administration would continue working towards putting the Union Territory on the path of development.
Addressing the Independence Day function here, Abdullah said the restoration of statehood and constitutional safeguards remained among the key objectives of his government.
“Our government is committed to restoring statehood and constitutional guarantees, and putting Jammu and Kashmir on the path of development. We will work to fulfil these goals,” he said.
Referring to the situation in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), the Chief Minister said recent developments there had reinforced his belief that the decision taken by National Conference founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and his colleagues to resist Pakistan-backed tribal raiders in 1947 was justified.
“When I see the situation across the border, I realise that our ancestors who said ‘hamlavar khabardar, hum Kashmiri hain tayyar’ (attackers beware, we Kashmiris are prepared) were right,” Abdullah said.
He recalled the role of NC leader Master Abdul Aziz, saying he was killed in Muzaffarabad while attempting to resist the tribal invasion.
Abdullah also referred to the constitutional changes made in August 2019 and said that, had the Centre not revoked the special constitutional guarantees, people in PoJK would have been seeking to join Jammu and Kashmir.
“We have kept seats vacant for the other side in the hope that some day these will be filled,” he said.
The Chief Minister’s remarks came against the backdrop of his government’s continued demand for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. He has repeatedly maintained that restoring statehood is essential for strengthening the democratic and constitutional framework of the elected government.
His Independence Day address also placed the statehood demand within the broader context of his government’s stated priorities of constitutional rights, development and democratic governance in Jammu and Kashmir.
