Infra development in J&K possible without scrapping Article 370: Omar Abdullah
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New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said infrastructure development occurring in the Valley could have been possible even without scrapping Article 370, according to India Today.
Omar Abdullah, a strong opponent of Modi regime’s abrogation of the special status to the region, urged people not to link projects out there to politics.
The chief minister made it clear that the projects were planned much earlier and could have completed regardless of abrogating Article 370, which took place on August 5, 2019.
‘Let's not link the infrastructure projects in Jammu and Kashmir to the politics surrounding Article 370. None of these projects started after August 5, 2019. None of these projects were launched post-August 2019. They were planned much earlier and would have reached completion regardless of Article 370's abrogation. Most of these infrastructure projects are not located in any areas that traditionally saw activities like stone-pelting and protests,’ Omar Abdullah was quoted as saying.
However, Omar Abdullah agreed that terrorism and stone-pelting incidents in Jammu and Kashmir have come down after Article 370 abrogation, adding that the situation in the Valley has improved.
‘I agree that activities like stone-pelting and protests, which were prominent in 2008, 2010, and 2016, have declined significantly. However, this is partly due to the government's stringent measures. The weaponization of the CID department, termination of employees, and blacklisting of individuals go against the principles of natural justice’ he pointed out.
The National Conference (NC) leader said it is commendable if the changes on the ground are happening due to genuine change of heart in the people, adding that ‘if it stems from fear, one must question the sustainability of such progress. The current situation in Jammu and Kashmir is a mix of both’.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Jammu and Kashmir today to open the 6.5-kilometer Z-Morh tunnel, making the Sonamarg town accessible throughout the year.
Visiting Sonamarg Saturday to review preparation for events on Monday, Abdullah said the tunnel will boost tourism and reduce the travel time from Srinagar to Kargil and Leh.