Omar Abdullah | File Photo
By Majid Nabi
Srinagar- Taking potshots at the Centre for delaying assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, National Conference (NC) vice-president Omar Abdullah said on Tuesday that New Delhi lacks courage to conduct polls, as the people in the newly carved out union territory are neither pleased nor content.
Talking to the media on the sidelines of a party provincial committee meeting at party headquarters, Nawai Subh here, the NC leader questioned the ruling dispensation’s delay in announcing assembly elections in J&K, saying if they could hold parliament elections, what makes them delay assembly elections.
“Why do they fear elections in J&K, why can’t they muster courage because nowhere in Kashmir people are happy or satisfied and not a single department is free from crises? If they could conduct parliament elections, why do they fear holding Assembly elections? Let them hold Parliament and Assembly elections together, let’s see how capable they are.” Omar said.
Speaking about an upcoming film “72 Hoorain” that has sparked an outrage among the Muslims, Omar said Islam since its inception has encountered serious challenges and those having ill feelings for Muslims would not tolerate them.
“We should not lose our heart as Islam ever since its inception has encountered difficulties and will continue to face such challenges in future as well. Islam is not such a weak religion that mere releasing of a movie critical of it will have any impact on it,” Omar said.
The former CM also refused to comment on evacuation of former CM’s and legislators from their government accommodations, saying “I don’t wish to live in a government accommodation as I left it out of my free will and consent, let you ask these questions to those who use government accommodations”
Expressing concerns over growing drug abuse in J&K, he said the government issues statements on everything but maintains silence on one of the gravest issues having taken a huge toll on the young generation.
He said the government issues statements on tourism, investments and G20 but never bothered to comment on growing substance abuse, which he said has become a grave issue.
“This is not a political but a social issue, the future of J&K is being put in trouble and unfortunately the government seems least bothered to wake up to the menace. Crime has increased due to drug addiction, murders often take place,” he added.
He said that his party will also submit a roadmap as to how to deal with the issue of substance abuse and at the same time urged the government to take concrete measures to curb the menace.
Replying to a query that centre blames Pakistan for smuggling drugs into Kashmir as a terror narco-terror strategy, Omar said he doesn’t want to indulge in blame game, saying either the anti-infiltration grid on LoC is weak or there are lapses at the fence.
“Wherever drugs come from, it’s being used here. If they say borders are sealed then how come drugs are being smuggled. If drugs are supplied from Punjab border, why don’t they stop it on J&K border and if it really comes for the border then government should be held accountable” he said, adding we want a complete ban on use of drugs in J&K.
When asked if NC and PDP presidents are attending opposition parties meeting convened by Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, he said they will be attending the meeting on the scheduled date and time.
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