Srinagar, Aug 25,: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said that all key decisions regarding the Union Territory’s statehood and security are being taken in New Delhi, not Srinagar.
Speaking to reporters, Omar Abdullah said his government had passed a resolution for restoration of statehood in its very first cabinet meeting and submitted it to the Prime Minister, but no progress has been made since then.
“Decisions about our security and statehood can only be taken by the Home Ministry in Delhi, not by us sitting here in Srinagar,” Omar said.
He expressed disappointment over the Supreme Court’s decision to defer the hearing on the statehood petition to October 10, stating that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have already waited too long. “The wait has brought no results. We can only hope that when the Court takes up the matter, it sets a clear timeframe, just as it once did while directing the Election Commission to hold polls in J&K,” he remarked.
The CM reiterated that the demand for restoration of statehood remains a central concern for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and stressed that the delay has only deepened public frustration. [KNT]
