Adil Lateef
Srinagar, Nov 30: Former Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) working president, Omar Abdullah, today blamed State and Central Governments for deteriorating internal and external security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a party function here at NC’s Nawa-e-Subh headquarters, Omar said there is no doubt that the present situation is a cause for grave concern both internally as well as on the border and the Line of Control (LoC). “In recent months, we have seen a significant deterioration in relations between India and Pakistan and we’ve seen an increase in tension along the LoC.
“Unfortunately, we have also seen a significant rise in militancy, resulting in far higher casualties than in recent years,” he said, and added that “all this points towards a failure both at the level of the State Government as well as at the level of the Central Government to give, particularly I will say, to Jammu and Kashmir, a peaceful environment that we are both desirous of and that we deserve.”
He expressed hope that steps will be taken by both the State as well as the Central Governments “to secure our borders and to ensure that we can live in peace”.
Omar said: “I am not saying that you will have to start a dialogue today only. I am saying that someday you will have to talk and both the countries will have to create an atmosphere for dialogue.”
The NC leader admitted that Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, himself took the initiative to reach out to the Pakistan and asserted that Pakistan besides India has also to play a role in easing tensions and make environment conducive for dialogue. “I am not making only India responsible for it, I said that Pakistan will also have to play a role to ease the tension and then we will move towards dialogue,” he said.
He said the initiative has to be taken by both countries and Pakistan cannot expect only India to take initiative. “Let’s be fair, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took initiative. He went to Lahore, he went and attended a wedding in Nawaz Sharief’s family. What happened after that? Pathankot. So, therefore Pakistan cannot expect that only India will take initiative. Pakistan also has to take.”
“This is a situation where both have to take an initiative and I hope that Pakistan will not only look towards India for it, but Pakistan will do something itself so that the situation improves,” Omar said.
Asked about the role of new Pakistan army chief, Lt General Asim Bajwa, he refused to explain, saying “it will take time, we cannot say anything now”.
“I know nothing about Bajwa. What will his role or his attitude towards this country be, I cannot say anything now. It has not even been 24 hours yet. Let him sit on the chair, then we will see what impact will his attitude have on this State and on the relations between the two countries,” the former Chief Minister said.
Defending his father’s recent remarks on Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), Omar said there is nothing new in his remarks. “When J&K is part of the Shimla agreement, you have accepted then that J&K will be discussed. It has been discussed in Agra and elsewhere and all sorts of places, so what Farooq Abdullah said in Kishtwar, is not something new,” he added.
Asked about the elections in the State, Omar said “sooner they are conducted, the better it is”.
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