Raja Syed Rather
Srinagar, Aug 25: Stating the assembly elections in J&K were held due to the Supreme Court setting a deadline for the exercise, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday exuded hope that the Apex Court would follow the suit and set a timeframe for restoration of J&K’s statehood.
Talking to reporters here, CM Omar said, “It is unfortunate that the Supreme Court is not ready to hear this matter (statehood restoration) before October 10. We hope that when it comes up, the Court will impose a time limit and we will get statehood back soon.”
He said that the government led by him wants the early hearing of the case. “The assembly elections in J&K were held after 5-years only due to the Supreme Court’s intervention. The Apex Court’s ultimatum to the Centre led to the formation of a popular government in J&K,” he said.
The Chief Minister said, “It has been more than 10 months of our government and from the first day we have been seeking statehood restoration. The first cabinet meeting of our government also focussed on the same issue and we passed the resolution as well.”
He said that when he met the Prime Minister for the first time after assuming office of the Chief Minister, he stressed that J&K should get back its statehood and since then he has been reiterating his demand. “The Centre has not responded till date but we are hopeful that the Supreme Court will do the justice,” he said.
Asked about the protest of PDP against the youth languishing in jails, CM Omar said, “We are all worried about this matter. We can’t do anything to it in Srinagar. The decisions of security of Jammu and Kashmir are being taken in New Delhi by the Union Home Ministry. It will be better for them (PDP) to visit Delhi and meet the Home Minister and discuss the issue.”
