Srinagar,July 11 (Scoop News) – Asserting that National Conference has defined and well documented agenda for socio-economic and political prosperity of Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Wednesday said that National Conference will work vehemently to seek political resolution of political issues of Jammu and Kashmir in a peaceful and amicable atmosphere and shall not allow anyone to weaken the special status of the State.
Omar said that National Conference has been the custodian and guardian of rights of people of Jammu and Kashmir since its inception. "We are for the unity, solidarity, brotherhood, communal harmony and equitable development of all the regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh", he said adding that safeguarding rights of people belonging to every caste, creed, colour and religion is benchmark of NC’s political ideology.
Omar Abdullah said that the need for resolving political issues of Jammu and Kashmir in a political manner was highlighted by him before the Prime Minister and the UPA Chairperson repeatedly. "I am continuously batting for this goal whether in power or outside", he said adding that he was highly thankful to the Union Government for the highest ever financial assistance granted to the State during his tenure. However, he reiterated that political issues are of separate nature and cannot be treated with economic measures.
Addressing a huge public gathering at Hazratbal on the occasion of death anniversary of Madr-e-Meherban Begum Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, the Chief Minister said that the K-issue has both internal and external dimensions and both need to be addressed.
Omar Abdullah said that dialogue between India and Pakistan is only way out to find a way forward. While expressing satisfaction over the talks taking place between the two countries at various levels, he said. "We are aware that the bigger issues cannot be settled in just a few meetings, we would emphasize on the need for certain result-oriented immediate measures to address smaller issues like strengthening of cross LoC trade by converting its barter status into normal trading pattern, easing of visa regime for cross LoC travel, construction of Tulbul navigational lock at Sopore, resolution of Sir-creak etc.", he maintained.
Castigating PDP and its leadership for double standard, the Chief Minister said that this party never talked of self rule, demilitarization, double currency and resolution of K-issue when it was in power for fear of losing the Chief Minister’s chair. He said that he even as Chief Minister of the State presented true perspective of the genesis of political issue of Jammu and Kashmir at highest forums in the country. "I am not like them (PDP leadership) who raised slogans like self rule, double currency, demilitarization etc when they were out of power. They did it only to create difficulties for Azad otherwise they were having no love for these slogans", he said.
"PDP hyped the emotions of people but miserably failed when the occasion of delivery arose. They talked too much but showed zero result practically. They mumbled and fumbled when they got the occasion to rise and strike", he said reminding the people of the tall promises made by PDP leadership to the people about ‘healing touch’ and political resolution of Kashmir issue but doing nothing on ground when this party was in power.
"My government not only approved and implemented rehabilitation and repatriation policy for the youth who had crossed over LoC but did not took to guns and opened way for their respectable return. We also discarded the blacklist maintained by the Police Department for stopping passports to the relatives of militants during PDP regime. PDP raised slogan about demilitarization but we acted on ground and removed 40 bunkers from Srinagar city alone. They talked of resolving Kashmir issue but slept over their tall claims during their tenure and started talking of self rule when they were out of power", he said adding that it was his government who worked and facilitated process of political addressing of political issues of Jammu and Kashmir.
On Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s assertion regarding settlement of non-state subjects in camps established for Kashmiri Pandits, Omar Abdullah categorically said that there is not even an iota of truth in this. "Yeh Buzarg leader ka eak aur shosha hai" (This is yet another self invented musing of the senior leader). Omar challenged Geelani of raising the issue of non-state subjects continuously being settled by Pakistan in PoK on regular basis.
"We see you often hugging the visiting Pakistani officials in New Delhi. Have you ever asked them about the demographic changes they are doing in that part of Kashmir continuously by allowing the non-Kashmiris to settle in?", he questioned Syed Ali Shah Geelani and said, "we may have so many differences with India on political grounds but no one can say that India has ever interfered or indulged in the rights of the people of the state regarding their ‘State Subject’ status.
"Everyone thinks that befooling people of Jammu and Kashmir is easy but they should understand that people may not react on every time but they are wiser enough to read between the lines and understand what is the story behind the story", he said amid applause.
Stating that Kashmiri Pandits are integral part of Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Minister said that they have left their home land under severe conditions and their return to their native land is their birth right. He said his government would facilitate their return as they are the state subjects of the State like others.
Omar said that Jammu and Kashmir State enjoys special status and National Conference has always stood for it and will continue to nurture and strengthen it in future. "Hum martey dum tak is position ko barkarar rakhney kay liye khadain rehagain" (We would protect this till we survive).
On peace and development Omar Abdullah said that his government focused on this subject wholeheartedly and achieved glaring results visible to everyone. He said that during his tenure more than Rs. 10,000 crores are being spent annually on development in the State for last three and half years and this will further increase during next two and half years.
Omar said that his government enacted and implemented Pubic Service Guarantee Act to check corruption and make service delivery time bound. "We have given you such an historic legislation for which Ana Hazare is threatening hunger strike and Indian Parliament is yet to enact this kind of law", he said adding that by constituting State Commission under Right to Information Act, his government has given authority to common man to ask questions to the government which was the authority of only MLAs and MLCs till this Act was implemented. He also cited the example of State Accountability Commission and said that his government has given teeth to the Commission and made it so autonomous and powerful that it has questioned even the authority of Chief Minister to give ministerial status to the advisors.
"I had asked you to give me peace, I will carry development to every corner. You have helped and contributed in restoring peace during last one and half year and the development results are clearly visible on ground in every town, village and city", he said adding that his government has reached out to every corner of the State on development front whether in a big way or smaller one.
The Chief Minister paid rich tributes to Madr-e-Meherban and said that it was his support which gave strength to Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah to carry forward his mission for Naya Kashmir.
In his speech, Minister for Finance, Abdul Rahim Rather, Minister for Rural Development, Ali Mohammad Sagar and Additional General Secretary, Dr. Mustafa Kamal paid rich tributes to Madr-e-Meherban and highlighted her contribution for the welfare of weaker sections, women and children..
Minister for Rural Development, Ali Mohammad Sagar in his address said that National Conference represents heart beats of people. "It has stood by the people through thick and thin and its leadership and workers have sacrificed throughout for the cause of the State and its people", he maintained.
Conference senior leaders, Provincial President, Ali Mohammad Dar, District Presidents and other activists were present on the occasion.