Srinagar, Sept 11: National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah on Wednesday criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its “failure” to curb terrorism in the Jammu region, saying the distribution of arms was a clear indicator of their inability to maintain peace.
Speaking at an election rally in Bhaderwah, Omar said the distribution of arms shows the BJP’s failure to prevent the rise of terrorism in a region that was once peaceful. “The government is arming people because they have allowed terrorism to grow in Jammu,” he said, adding that the NC-Congress alliance will work to restore peace if elected.
Referring to the revival of village defence guards and the arming of civilians with rifles, Abdullah said that Jammu’s security situation has worsened under BJP rule. “Under our government before 2014, Jammu was free of terror. Now, people are being armed due to the deteriorating situation,” he said.
He further accused the BJP of supporting smaller political groups and independent candidates to use them as a means of forming a government in Jammu and Kashmir. “BJP’s slogan of safeguarding Jammu is false. They have destroyed Jammu in the past decade,” he added.
“The BJP is willing to form a government with anyone, even those who once spoke about Kashmir’s merger with Pakistan. This shows their desperation to remain in power,” he said.
The former chief minister also took a dig at the administration, accusing it of favouring the BJP by removing National Conference flags from private properties.
The rally was part of the ongoing election campaign for the assembly polls, which will be held in three phases starting on September 18.
