Srinagar, June 24:
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday responded to reports suggesting that the restoration of the region’s statehood might lead to the dissolution of the current Legislative Assembly and the need for fresh elections. “Let the assembly be dissolved,” Omar remarked, adding that if elections are required after statehood is reinstated, there should be no delays. “Who is stopping them?” he questioned.
Omar further emphasised that the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood should be viewed as a right of the people, not as a favor. “Statehood is not a favour. It is a right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. It must be restored in full dignity,” he said.
The Chief Minister also addressed the recent Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 persons. Omar condemned the attack and clarified that the perpetrators were foreign nationals, not locals. “The attackers who carried out the killings in Pahalgam were not from among us. They were entirely outsiders,” he said while speaking to reporters at Gulmarg.
Omar also provided an update on the investigation, which is being led by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). “The NIA has arrested two persons in connection with the attack. These individuals are accused of helping the terrorists, although initial findings suggest they may have acted under duress. They reportedly provided food and shelter to the attackers, but not voluntarily,” he added.
On a broader scale, the Chief Minister spoke about the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict and welcomed the ceasefire after 11 days of intense fighting. “It’s a good thing that the ceasefire has come into effect. The destruction over the last eleven days has been immense. I hope global powers will play their role in ensuring that tensions don’t escalate further,” Omar said, stressing that a prolonged conflict would not only worsen human suffering but also impact global economies.
The conflict also had indirect repercussions for Jammu and Kashmir, particularly concerning the evacuation of Kashmiri students from conflict zones. “There were many challenges in bringing our children home due to closed air routes and delayed flights. We are hopeful that a large batch of students will return today, and the evacuation process will soon be complete,” Omar concluded.
