Pandits had to flee as govt failed to restore normalcy in Kashmir: Omar Abdullah
Says govt brags about huge tourist count including Amarnath pilgrims as well
Srinagar: National Conference (NC) vice-president, Omar Abdullah Saturday alleged that the government has miserably failed in restoring normalcy in Kashmir owing to which the Kashmiri Pandits and PM package employees had no option but to lock their houses and leave for Jammu.
Talking to reporters here, the NC leader said the ruling dispensation is refusing to wake up to the situation. He said the government has been bragging about the huge influx of tourists here while the situation on the ground is altogether different.
The former chief minister also alleged that some higher-ups in the administration are misleading the media saying Pandits are leaving for Jammu due to cold in Kashmir. “It’s not only the Kashmiri Pandits, but even the PM package employees’ have left for Jammu. Situation here has deteriorated to such an extent that these people have been left with no option than to leave the valley,” he said.
He said if Kashmiri Pandits did not leave for Jammu over the past 30 years, what makes them migrate now. The NC leader advised the government to accept the reality that the situation is not normal in Kashmir and that there is an issue which has to be sorted out.
He also alleged that the government counts Amarnath pilgrims (Yatris) in the list of tourists to inflate the number so as to give an impression that all is well in Kashmir.
He said if Kashmiri Pandits did not leave for Jammu over the past 30 years, what makes them migrate now. The NC leader advised the government to accept the reality that the situation is not normal in Kashmir and that there is an issue that has to be sorted out. Kashmiri youth are upset and they need to be brought into the mainstream. Bring them, we will also help. Let the government make efforts to restore normalcy,” he added.
He said that his party has always tried to make the atmosphere conducive in Kashmir and these efforts will continue in the future as well.
“Such situation shouldn’t have been created; our efforts were that everyone live together, the government has to accept that the situation is not normal the way they project. They claimed that after August 5, 2019 there would be no issue in Kashmir, if the situation is normal then why these posters are being pasted,” he said.
