Who stopped them from holding fresh elections in J&K?
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, June 24: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that he is ready to recommend the dissolution of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly if the Statehood is restored.
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Omar told reporters on the sidelines of a function at Gulmarg that Statehood is the right of the people of J&K and it should be restored.
“If the MLAs are being threatened with the dissolution of the Assembly for the restoration of Statehood, then do it. The day the state is established again, the next day we will go to the Governor and recommend the dissolution of the Assembly. Don’t try to scare us … Statehood is our right and give it (back) to us. Stop planting stories in newspapers, it won’t work,” he added.
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“I have read in a newspaper that Statehood will be restored but Assembly elections would have to be held afresh. Let them do it, who has stopped them,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that the two locals who were arrested by the NIA for providing shelter to the terrorists who carried out the Pahalgam attack have been forced to help.
“First of all, there was no local involvement in this. The people who shot and killed those 26 people were all outsiders. Now, two people have been arrested under the NIA’s investigation. They helped these people. And maybe they were forced to help them. They gave them food, but they were forced to help them. Now let the investigation continue. After the investigation, the charges will be presented to the NIA,” he said.
Omar said that the Iran-Israel ceasefire should be implemented as soon as possible as a lot of lives have been lost.
“The sooner the ceasefire is implemented, the better. It has been 11 days. There has been a lot of destruction in these 11 days. We want the ceasefire to be implemented as soon as possible. We have a big problem. Our children are studying there. We had to bring them back. In between, the planes had to face problems because the airspace was closed. But today we hope that a large group of our students will return. And maybe after this, our evacuation process will be completed,” he said.
Omar reaffirmed his Government’s resolve to reestablish Gulmarg as a premier global golf destination, promising focused attention on golfing infrastructure, international-level tournaments and tourism-friendly facilities.
Speaking at an award ceremony for golfers and hoteliers at the Gulmarg Golf Championship, Omar said, “We want to make Gulmarg a world-class golf destination once again. Special attention will be given to golf, golf infrastructure, and tournaments so that Jammu and Kashmir can be marketed as a pre-eminent golfing destination across the globe.”
The Chief Minister said the necessary investment is justified given the economic and tourism potential of Gulmarg. “These are high-spending tourists who don’t just play golf-they stay in hotels, go sightseeing, and shop. It’s about creating a holistic experience that brings them back year after year,” he remarked.
He recalled the past glory of Gulmarg Golf Course, once a favourite among India’s top golfers. “The names of the most iconic professional and amateur golfers still adorn the walls of the Gulmarg Club. Sadly, the decline in the situation led to the neglect. But we are determined to bring it back,” he said.
The Chief Minister lauded the role of the local MLA and emphasized the need for a tourist-friendly attitude towards visitors. “We must see every tourist not as a one-time visitor, but as a potential repeat guest. Their satisfaction should be our benchmark,” he asserted, stressing the need to cater to every kind of visitor-from golfers and horse riders to winter sports lovers and those who simply wish to relax in hotels.
Earlier in the day, Omar inspected the newly constructed Gulmarg Convention Center, describing it as a “magnificent property” with an auditorium, meeting halls, guest rooms, and dining spaces. He floated the idea of introducing evening leisure options such as cinema screenings, coffee shops, and restaurants to make Gulmarg an “all-encompassing destination.”
Highlighting policy reforms, the Chief Minister revealed that the Government is actively considering the establishment of a Jammu and Kashmir Golf Development Authority to manage and maintain all major golf courses across the Union Territory-including Srinagar, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and venues like Sidhra in Jammu. “We need dedicated synergy and professional upkeep of our greens and fairways. There should be a clear distinction between fairways and roughs,” he added.
Later, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for a 726-meter ski drag lift at Kongdoori, to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 6.84 crore. He also laid the foundation for the development and beautification of the water body, popularly known as Seven Springs at Kongdoori, with the project costing Rs 50 lakh.
At Kongdoori, Omar interacted with tourists and enquired about their holiday experience in Kashmir. The visitors expressed their gratitude to the Chief Minister for his proactive role and leadership in reviving tourism in the region.
A group of ponywalas also called on the Chief Minister and apprised him of various concerns, particularly the reopening of tourist spots in and around Gulmarg. He assured them that all the issues raised would be addressed in a phased manner.
Earlier in the day, Omar visited the Gulmarg Convention Centre to inspect the ongoing works. He urged officials to expedite the remaining tasks and ensure the centre is made operational at the earliest to boost tourism and facilitate major events.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister flagged off the Cyclothon, encouraging youth participation in sports and promoting eco-friendly tourism across the Valley.
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