Names of RS candidates not finalised yet
*CM announces 5-marla land to flood-hit families
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 25 : Appealing to the people of Ladakh to maintain peace, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today came out in defence of the Congress saying it is the BJP’s habit to blame others for its own failures, and the violence in Leh was no different.
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Omar conducted an aerial survey of the flood-affected villages in Kathua district and interacted with those who lost their houses in the natural calamity. He also visited flood-hit areas of Mahore in Reasi district.
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Talking to reporters on the sidelines of his visit to parts of Reasi, the Chief Minister said the Lieutenant Governor-led Ladakh administration should see why it failed in the first place to take necessary measures to maintain peace. Asked about the BJP blaming the Congress for the violence in Leh on Wednesday, he said, “The Government (in Ladakh) is theirs (BJP’s). When they fail, they blame someone else.
“Had the Congress been so powerful that it could cause riots in Ladakh, why didn’t the party form the Council (in October 2020)? Who won the last Council elections in Ladakh? The BJP, while the Congress lost badly. When things go wrong, the BJP people always come up with excuses.”
He also claimed that it is the BJP’s habit to blame others.
Responding to a related question, Omar said the violence in Leh was the result of the administration’s failure.
“When such things happen, it is the administration which is the first to fail. The administration should see why it failed. Blaming someone else will not help,” he said.
He also said the situation in Ladakh was bad and it was very unfortunate that four lives were lost and many others injured.
“I would appeal to people to not take the law in their hands, and follow the path of peace. The Government of India should pay attention to their legitimate demands,” Omar said.
He also said that he would like to see a peaceful atmosphere prevailing in the region, along with brotherhood between Kargil and Leh.
“They asked for a Union Territory, and got it. Let them progress as much as they can under the UT,” Omar said.
He said his party National Conference will take a call on who will contest in the upcoming elections to four vacant Rajya Sabha seats from the Union Territory.
“There are four seats. We will decide how many seats we will fight and how many seats we will leave for others to fight,” Omar said.
Asked about reports that NC president Farooq Abdullah and former Minister Sajjad Kitchloo will contest the Rajya Sabha elections from the party, he said, “You can name anyone you want but it is the party which is going to decide on this.
“As far as I know, there has been no such talk in the National Conference,” he said.
Omar said the recent flash floods have caused immense loss to the public and private property across Jammu and Kashmir.
“In some places, the entire mountain has come down, resulting in damage to a large number of houses. There are some places where the houses have been washed away besides damage to the agricultural land,” he said.
Omar said he had interacted with the flood victims and assured that the Government will do whatever possible to help them.
The CM announced that the Government has decided to provide five marlas of land each to all flood-affected families who have been rendered homeless and have suffered both on account of their houses destroyed and left without land due to landslides and flashfloods which has taken away their everything so that they are able to construct their dwelling units on the allotted land.
The Chief Minister made this announcement while interacting with residents of Duggain, Billawar, in Kathua district whose houses and livelihoods were severely impacted by the recent flooding. Earlier, he conducted an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas in the district, accompanied by MLA Bani, Dr. Rameshwar Singh.
Assuring people of all possible assistance, Omar directed the administration to ensure timely relief and rehabilitation measures. “The year 2025 has brought immense devastation to Jammu and Kashmir-from the dry spell in March-April to incessant rains, flash floods, and landslides in August-September,” he said. “From Kathua to Kupwara, the damage has been unprecedented.”
The Chief Minister highlighted the scale of destruction, noting that torrential rains have damaged over 350 bridges, around 2,000 km of road network, thousands of hectares of agricultural land, besides washing away standing crops and inflicting damages on both Government and private buildings. “Given the enormity of restoration challenges, Jammu and Kashmir is looking forward to a comprehensive relief and rehabilitation package from the Central Government,” he added.
Emphasizing the importance of first-hand assessment, Omar said his visit to the remote and isolated areas of Kathua was aimed at understanding the ground realities. He also undertook an aerial survey of damages in Hiranagar and Lakhanpur, the entry point of Jammu and Kashmir.
Later, the Chief Minister convened a meeting with district administration, including Deputy Commissioner Kathua Rajesh Sharma, ADC, and senior civil and police officers. He directed the DC to conduct extensive tours of all affected areas and submit detailed ground reports at the earliest.
Speaking on the occasion, MLA Bani, Dr. Rameshwar Singh, underlined that the Bani region too has suffered extensive damages due to landslides triggered by torrential rains. He said that in villages such as Moar, Najote, and Kanthal-Majra, nearly 100 families have lost their land and property completely. He demanded allotment of five marlas of land for such affected families, besides highlighting other pressing concerns, including damages to the Jalana Bridge, delay in tendering of work for High School Lohai, upgradation of High School Sadrota, as well as amnesty from KCC loans and electricity bills for affected families.
The Chief Minister assured that the Government would examine all these demands with due seriousness and extend all possible support to the affected families.
Omar also undertook an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas of district Reasi before reaching Mahore to meet the people reeling under the devastation. Accompanied by MLA Gulabgarh, Khurshied Ahmed, and other senior officials, the Chief Minister expressed deep solidarity with the affected families and reaffirmed his Government’s commitment to prioritizing their relief and rehabilitation.
Addressing a gathering of flood victims, Omar spoke with empathy and candor. “The purpose of my visit here is to share your pain and express my condolences for the loss of lives and property you have suffered. I want you to believe that you are not alone in this difficult time,” he said, assuring people of sustained Government intervention to help them rebuild their lives.
The Chief Minister recalled that his wish was for Khurshied Ahmed’s first programme as MLA to be one of joy and development-laying the foundation of new projects or inaugurating new facilities. “But destiny had something else in store,” he remarked. “It is not a favour that Khurshied and I are here; it is our duty and our way of repaying the faith you placed in us last year.”
Reflecting on the unusual challenges faced by Jammu and Kashmir this year, Omar said that J&K had gone from the threat of severe drought earlier in February-April, to unprecedented floods that wreaked havoc from Kathua to Kupwara. “In the beginning of the year, there was no sign of rain, and I had asked our Irrigation,Flood Control, and PHE Departments to prepare for drought. Yet, when the rains came, they came with such fury that plains and mountains alike were ravaged,” he noted.
He candidly acknowledged that lapses in planning and road construction practices may have compounded the damage, particularly where mountain cutting led to landslides and road collapses. “Thousands of kilometres of roads under PWD and PMGSY networks simply vanished,” he observed, stressing the need for better foresight in future infrastructure planning.
Interacting personally with affected families, the Chief Minister assured them that comprehensive relief measures and long-term rehabilitation plans were being put into motion. “We will not only help you tide over the immediate crisis but also ensure that your lives are rebuilt afresh with dignity and resilience,” he pledged.
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