Urges Guv to roll back highway ban order

Srinagar, April 17

National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah on Tuesday urged the Governor’s administration to revoke the biweekly ban on civilian traffic on the national highway, saying it should not be made “a point of prestige”.

He said the ban had “not proved helpful to security forces but had caused inconvenience to people”.

Addressing a public meet at Sholipora village in Budgam district, Omar said the ban had put people under “unnecessary duress”. “This move is unreasonable and devoid of logic. In fact, the Army and the police have distanced themselves from having such an arrangement. I urge the Governor to rollback the order immediately,” he said.

Omar also expressed concern over the decline of “civilised political discourse”. “We are witnessing a steep fall in the level of civility in the political discourse during the ongoing election campaign. There should be no place for any hate speech or personal attacks. I hope the Election Commission takes rigorous action against such people who surpass the ambit of civility and decency,” he added.

“It’s the prime duty of the EC to ensure that model code of conduct is thoroughly adhered to. It should take tough measures in this direction to ensure that the usage of illicit money in the election is stopped.”— TNS