Adil is symbol of Kashmir, its hospitality
Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Apr 25: With India putting the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) in “abeyance” following the Pahalgam terror attack, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said the treaty has been “most unfair document” for the people of J&K.
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Speaking to reporters after meeting stakeholders from the tourism, hospitality, trade, and industry sectors, the CM stated that J&K was never in favour of the IWT.
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“As far as J&K is concerned, let’s be honest-we have never been in favour of the Indus Water Treaty. We have always believed that the IWT has been the most unfair document for the people of J&K,” he said.
He added, “Now, what the medium- to long-term implications of this (putting IWT in abeyance) are-that’s something we will have to wait and see.”
Omar expressed satisfaction over the collective response from people across Kashmir following the attack that claimed 26 lives.
He also noted the symbolic one-minute silence observed at the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar in honour of the deceased.
The CM said the gesture at Jamia Masjid was a reply to the news channels that, he alleged, are “spewing venom” against Kashmiris.
“It is a reply to the channels that spew venom against Kashmiris-but they won’t show it, because that won’t help run their channels. These channels run by showing hate,” he said.
Omar went on to say that some of the anchors on these channels are “cowards” who, he claimed, do not “side with the truth.”
Regarding the safety of students, businessmen, and others from J&K living in different parts of the country, the CM said he had raised the issue with the Home Minister.
“I have talked to the Home Minister, and he has assured me that whatever is needed will be done to ensure the safety and security of J&K residents living across the country,” he said.
He added that the Home Ministry will issue an advisory in this regard and noted that the Home Minister has already spoken with some Chief Ministers, urging them to take necessary measures.
Abdullah said his ministerial colleagues will go to those States and liaise with the Governments there to take whatever steps are needed.
On his meeting with leaders from the tourism and other sectors, Omar said they openly stated that the attack was “not in our name.”
“To prevent such incidents in the future, some suggestions were also put forward, and I’ve assured them we will implement those suggestions,” he said.
Regarding the impact of the terror attack on tourism and other sectors, Omar said, “At this point in time, we are not counting rupees and paisa.”
“I think it is a credit to all participants in this meeting that not one of them lamented the loss of business. Not one said, ‘What will happen to me? My houseboat is empty, my hotel is empty, or my taxi is idle.'”
He said the primary concern of the meeting was to express solidarity and sympathy with the families of the 26 people killed in the attack.
“There may come a time in the future when we sit down and discuss the financial implications of what is happening to the J&K economy.”
Omar emphasized that not one participant used the meeting to talk about business losses or to request compensation from the Government.
On the tourist guide Syed Adil Hussain Shah, who was killed while trying to save some of the tourists, Omar said efforts would be made to ensure his memory lives on.
“He is a symbol of Kashmir and Kashmiri hospitality. It is our responsibility not just to reward him and support his family, but to ensure his memory remains alive. We will find a mechanism to do that. For now, a tour company from Maharashtra has decided to adopt his family,” he said.
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