ibn sultan
Srinagar, August 15: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday reaffirmed that his government remains committed to restoring the erstwhile state’s statehood and constitutional guarantees that were revoked in August 2019.
Addressing the Independence Day gathering in Srinagar, Abdullah said his government would continue working towards restoring statehood and constitutional safeguards while putting Jammu and Kashmir on the path of development.
“Our government is committed to restoring statehood and constitutional guarantees, and putting Jammu and Kashmir on the path of development. We will work to fulfil these goals,” Abdullah said.
Referring to the recent protests and unrest in Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Minister said the situation across the Line of Control had vindicated the decision taken by National Conference founder Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah and his colleagues in 1947 to resist Pakistan-backed tribal invaders.
“When I see the situation across the border, I realise that our ancestors who said ‘hamlavar khabardar, hum Kashmiri hain tayyar’ (attackers beware, we Kashmiris are prepared) were right,” he said.
Abdullah recalled that Master Abdul Aziz, a National Conference leader, was killed in Muzaffarabad while attempting to stop the attackers during the 1947 invasion.
He further said that had the Centre not revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional guarantees in 2019, people on the other side of the Line of Control would have been fighting to join Jammu and Kashmir.
“We have kept seats vacant for the other side in the hope that some day these will be filled,” he said.
The Chief Minister reiterated that restoration of statehood and constitutional guarantees would remain among the key priorities of his government, alongside development and governance in Jammu and Kashmir.
