Srinagar
Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah on Thursday asserted that closing the national highway for civilian traffic is a glaring admission of failure in managing the states internal security and is a direct consequence of PDP’s tie-up with BJP.
Addressing an election campaign rally at Rafiabad, Baramulla the vice president said that the embrace of PDP with BJP wrecked havoc on the security situation in the state.
“It is for the first time in history that highways are being closed for civilian traffic for two days. This is an unprecedented situation and has never happened in the last three decades. The state was faced with much dire security situation since 1989 but never have highways been snatched from people. How will the patients who are referred to city hospitals reach SMHS or SKIMS? Why should students suffer who will not be able to attend schools? How will people reach to their places of work? What will happen to those who are faced with any other emergencies? The ones who have issued this order must revoke it immediately,” he said adding, “The situation that the state is facing is a consequence of the opportunistic politics of PDP; Had PDP not hobnobbed with BJP, the situation would not have turned so murky.”
“The state has witnessed numerous attacks on its vital installations from the last 30 years but barring civilian traffic from highways is unprecedented and has never happened before. This imprudent order, therefore, needs to be revoked immediately,” he said.
In a scathing attack on Mehbooba Mufti, Party vice president said, “Nowadays we are seeing Mehbooba ji making unrestricted public vows for the protection of Art 370, Art 35 A. How can we trust her? She wasn’t able to protect the very honour of her father when Modi publically insulted him before a public gathering in Srinagar. How can we trust her with the protection of our identity, when she wasn’t able to voice for her father’s colossal public disgrace?”
While flaying PDP for its colossal betrayal of public trust, he said, “In a first, I made outreach and offered unconditional support to the Late Mufti sahib in order to keep BJP out of the power corridors. However, our earnest offer was turned down by PDP. What followed is history. What good was achieved by my government until 2014 was put into an abyss. The explicit memories of the people are still afresh with the miseries which were inflicted by BJP-PDP on the citizenry of our state.”
“People are seeking answers as to what happened to the promises which were made by PDP and Muftis during their election campaign in 2014. The undertaking of PDP and its leadership turned out to be a damp squib. The past few years saw no accomplishments vis-à-vis employment generation, reduction of forces or return of power projects. On the contrary, the PDP-BJP rule saw the implementation of GST, NFSA in the state. Our state saw numerous onslaughts from all sides.”
Omar while reiterating his undertaking on removing Public Safety Act said, “Scores of our youth are facing innumerable cases, I assure you that once we come to power we would do a review of all cases as have been slashed on youth by the former PDP-BJP government. We would take no time to obliterate PSA from the state if voted to power with a strong mandate.”
Taking a jibe at Mehbooba’s theatrics over the intimidation of various socio-political organizations by NIA, Omar, said, “The NIA cases were slashed on various people in the tenure of Mehbooba Mufti. But now she is shedding crocodile tears over the arrests and slashing of cases on various socio-political leaders including Yasin Malik and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. Once in power, we will make amends to the wrong committed by former PDP led government.”
While seeking strong winning margin for party’s Baramulla constituency candidate Mohammad Akbar Lone, Omar said, “Lone sahib boasts the necessary political standing and acumen to represent the state in Parliament. I urge you to send Lone sahib to parliament with a resounding victory. I am sure that he will ensure that our woes are heard in parliament.”
Among others, Shareef ud din Shariq, Nasir Aslam Wani, Muhammad Akbar Lone, Javed Dar also spoke to the gathering and sought a huge victory for party’s candidate. Shammi Oberoi, Janak Singh Sodhi, Ghulam Hassan Rahi, Munir Bhat, Neelofar Masood were also present.
