Budgam, Apr 16: National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah on Tuesday asserted that the incumbent Governor has made “banning of highway a point of prestige” as the measure has brought great inconveniences to the people.
Addressing a public meet at Sholipora, Budgam, the former chief minister said that banning civilian traffic on highway for two days a week has put people to unnecessary duress on the people.
“On other days we see non-civilian traffic plying on road without any hassles, therefore this scheme of banning civilian traffic on two days is unreasonable and devoid of logic. In fact, the army and police have distanced themselves from such an arrangement. I therefore urge the Governor to roll back the order immediately,” he said.
Expressing concern over the decline of civilized political discourse, Omar Abdullah said, “We are witnessing a steep fall in the level of civility in the political discourse during the ongoing election campaign. There should be no place for any hate speech or personal attacks. I hope Election Commission takes rigorous action against such people as surpass the ambit of civility and decency.”
He said it is the prime duty of Election Commission to ensure that modal code of conduct is thoroughly adhered to. They should take tough measures in this direction to ensure the usage of illicit money in the elections is stopped.
“We have political outfits and people who are blatantly indulging in intimidation and thrashing of their political adversaries. We have come across incidents wherein our political workers were thrashed and intimidated. These political outfits who come forth holding lotus and apple in their hands have erected their edifices on the plinth of money and falsehood. Election Commission should take cognizance of their erroneous activities and act accordingly. People should remain vigilant of their machinations and shenanigans.”
Referring to present situation the state is grappling with after PDP-BJP-PC combine came to power, Omar Abdullah said, “People remember how mosques were closed during their reign, how central laws were implemented in our state, how innocents were intimidated by worst possible means. They want us to forget all that but our memory is not so weak.
“What good was achieved in my government was put into an abyss by the PDP-BJP government. What happened to Rs 80000 cr package? Where did it go? We seek accountability.
“They had promised to remove AFSPA, ensure minimal presence of army in the streets and much more. Nothing of that sort happened. They failed miserably in carrying forward the goodwill achieved till 2014. On the contrary the combine plunged the state into chaos and turmoil. It’s up to people now to make amends and show them their right place by using the vote wisely.”
Underscoring the importance of land reforms, Omar said that the “revolutionary step” would not have been possible without Article 370 and Article 35-A being in place.
“The famous land to tiller reforms and the other people-friendly reforms undertaken by Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah are one of its kind, nowhere else in the sub-continent were such exemplary steps taken which empowered majority here. The trajectory of the land reforms changed the destiny of our ill-fated people who had been marred by years of injustice and repression. Moreover our kids would not have been the sole beneficiaries of scholarship schemes provided by the state if Article 370 and Article 35-A were not in place. As such we have to make it a point to strengthen NC candidates and trounce the machinations of those who are hell-bent to destroy our identity and special status,” the NC vice-president said.
He said once the party is voted to power, the development requirements of far-flung areas will be fulfilled on priority basis. “We will formulate policies that help the people living in the far-flung areas live a better life. We will invest on human development, community development and basic infrastructure. Our idea of development is inclusive, it sans regional and other prejudices,” he said.
