>>Resolution passed in LA not rejected, door still open
>>Verification procedures eased
>>Release of political prisoners after restoration of full statehood,
>>Congress not part of J&K Govt
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Friday said the resolution of special status passed in the Legislative Assembly recently has not been rejected and that the door was open.
He, however, said as far as the release of political prisoners, the government has to wait for the restoration of statehood first.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of an event at Polo View, Srinagar, Omar, while replying to a query about the fate of special status resolution said, “The resolution was passed by the majority of members in the Legislative Assembly. Congress members were also present in the House. It is alive and has not been rejected. The door is open. Let us get Statehood first, we will pursue the matter further.”
In reply to another query about release of political prisoners, Omar said: “Law and Order, Security and policing continues to remain the domain of Centre and LG. Despite this scenario, we have managed to ease the verification procedure. I made a speech in the Legislative Assembly stating that verification has been weaponized. Steps were taken to ease it out and more progress is on cards in this regard.” The Chief Minister said some people criticised the government stating that the resolution had nothing in it. “If there was nothing in the resolution, why Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah talked about it frequently,” Omar asked.
Asked why All India Congress Committee (AICC) chief Malikarjun Kharge stated that “what parliament has done shouldn’t be discussed,” Omar said: “J&K Assembly has passed the resolution with overwhelming majority, that itself is a big thing. Congress is not part of the government, though it has given us outside support. Now the same party is under political assault from BJP.”
He said once the J&K gets Statehood, the government will follow the cases of political prisoners and ensure their release.
About today’s cabinet meeting, Omar said that the important decision taken in today’s meeting was to constitute a cabinet sub-committee comprising three members that would take a holistic view in the backdrop of Supreme Court directives. “The Committee will submit a report to the Cabinet and we will see how far we can go to rationalise the reservation policy,” Omar.
To a query about alleged torture of civilians in Kishtwar, the Chief Minister said that he has seen people dying during tortures in police and security forces camps in the past. “Thank God here, nobody has died. I urge the army to probe the case thoroughly and if any misconduct by the soldiers is found, the guilty should be court martialed and punished sternly,” Omar said.
To a query whether there would be improvement in power curtailment in winters, Omar said there will be cuts in winters for sure. “I have directed the Power department to ensure less curtailment in the areas where there is minimum power theft. I am hopeful to see improved power scenario in Kashmir this winter,” Omar said.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that the special status resolution passed by the Assembly is alive and has not been rejected.
“The special status resolution has been passed by the majority of the members of the J&K Assembly and it has not been rejected. The issue is alive. Let us get the statehood first and then we will push further. The doors are open for us,” said the Chief Minister while talking to reporters on the sidelines of an official function in Srinagar.
On the release of political prisoners, the Chief Minister said the matter would be decided after statehood is restored. “This issue will have to wait till the restoration of statehood as the law and order maintenance is with the Centre,” the Chief Minister said.
He added that once the statehood is restored, the National Conference government will ensure the release of political prisoners.
He also rejected the assertion that there was nothing worthwhile in the restoration of the special status resolution passed by the J&K Assembly.
“If there is nothing in the resolution, why are the Prime Minister and the Home Minister repeatedly talking about it,” said Omar Abdullah.
The Chief Minister also spoke about the alleged misconduct of the army soldiers during the anti-terrorist operation in Kishtwar.
He urged the army to probe the misconduct and ensure punishment for the soldiers involved in the case.
He also spoke about the reservation controversy and said that a cabinet sub-committee has been set up to discuss the issue with all stakeholders and then decide on the rationalisation of the reservation policy. (With inputs from IANS)
