Pulwama, Jan 31 (KNS): Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Vice President Mr. Omar Abdullah on Thursday sought strong mandate of people in the forth coming elections to revoke Public Safety Act saying that repealing the act will go a long way in eradicating insecurity and disenchantment amongst people particularly youth.
Omar Abdullah who was addressing a mammoth convention of party workers, functionaries and delegates at Pulwama said, “My government in 2011 had mellowed down the PSA by bringing some amendments to it. However, this time I assure you all if NC comes to power on its own with a strong mandate, we will take no time to revoke the act completely,” he said.
“I continued to pursue the revocation of AFSPA throughout my stint as chief minister. I have not given up on the issue, and once in power will revive the effort of pursuing the matter with forthcoming central government,” he said.
Taking a dig at former BJP-PDP government’s under-performance and misrule, the NC Vice President said, “The former BJP-PDP government wasn’t able to carry forward the momentum of good work initiated by my government. Instead the coalition bequeathed the state towards morass and destruction.”
Referring to the recent bids of Mehbooba Mufti of capturing the lost landscape of Kashmir by shedding crocodile tears, he said, “ During our stint in government from 2009-2014, we worked towards reconciliation and lessening the foot-print of security forces. However what good was achieved during NC led Government was put into an abyss by the former BJP-PDP led government.”
Omar said that Mehbooba’s supplication for releasing prisoners is too late an effort to move people. “People have seen it all with their eyes as to who opened the flood gates for all those forces as are contriving hard to destroy the state,” he said.
“Now a days Mehbooba ji is pushing for the release of political prisoners and other political activists. Given the fact she was the one in whose tenure as chief ministership youth were hounded; crackdowns, and CASOs were unleashed on people. No one can deny the fact that it was during her tenure that saw a steep rise among the young educated youth joining militancy,” he said.
Omar said that people still remember how bare facedly Mehbooba Mufti had said that the guns of CRPF and other Para military forces ‘aren’t for mere display but action’.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel“Now the same lady has the gumption to ask for release of prisoners in whose tenure they were arrested,” adding that it is the same Mehbooba Mufti who presided over scores of bindings, maiming and civilian killings during her tenure.
“People remember the way she mocked the pain and agony of people with her toffee and milk remarks,” he said.
Omar said that his government had the sincerity of thought and a commitment towards service that helped him to serve people for six years. “If we had worked like Mehbooba Mufti did, we couldn’t have completed our full tenure,” he said.
“Her own brazen assertions wherein she said that she tied up with BJP to save her party from disintegration, is reflective of her political bankruptcy and disrespect for the people of state especially Kashmir, which continued to suffer under her rule,” he said.
While referring to the sleuth of people friendly schemes of his government including SKEWPY scheme for youth, Omar said that the former BJP-PDP government failed to rise up to the expectations of youth and pushed them to wall.
Omar maintained that south Kashmir has been worst affected due to the imprudent policies of former BJP-PDP led government. “The landscape of south Kashmir is presenting a charred look. There is no house that isn’t weeping on the loss of its loved ones,” he said the developmental scenario of south Kashmir also reveals a grimy tale of neglect.
Omar maintained that National Conference has the sincerity of thought and the political will to pull the state out of morass, death and destruction to peace and harmony. “I wasn’t expecting such a turn-out of people here in Pulwama, but the way you have turned up has increased my absolve to serve you,” he said adding that south Kashmir in particular has to take a stride in the direction of giving the state a strong mandated government by giving NC a strong mandate to peruse the agenda of peace, prosperity and reconciliation.
Among others Party’s general secretary Haji Ali Muhammad Sagar, provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani, Treasurer Shammi Oberoi, State Secretary Sakina Itoo, South Zone president Dr. Bashir Veeri, G N Ratanpuri, District President Pulwama Ghulam Mohi Ud Din Mir, Mohammad Ashraf Bhat, YNC district president Javaid Rahim Bhat were present at the event. (KNS)