Hope Supreme Court sets deadline for restoration of statehood: Omar

The apex court on Monday declined to advance the hearing on pleas seeking the restoration of statehood, stating that the matter is already scheduled for October 10.

"I don’t know who approached the Supreme Court for an urgent hearing. We also want there to be no delay in this decision," Abdullah told reporters on the sidelines of a function in Srinagar.

" It has been more than 10 months since we formed the government, and we have been pursuing the restoration of statehood from day one. In the first Cabinet meeting, the very first decision was to pass a resolution seeking the restoration of statehood," he said.

The Chief Minister said that in his first meeting with the Prime Minister after assuming office, he had submitted the Cabinet resolution regarding statehood.

“We have been waiting, but have not received any response or benefit so far. It is unfortunate that the Supreme Court is not ready to hear the matter before October 10. We will wait a bit longer, but we hope that where the Central Government has failed to act, the Supreme Court will step in and make a decision,” he said.

Abdullah added the elections in Jammu and Kashmir were only possible after Supreme Court imposed a time frame.

“Unfortunately, the Supreme Court did not impose any deadline on the restoration of statehood, which is why we continue to face delays. I hope that when the matter comes up on October 10, the court will set a time limit, and we will get our statehood back soon,” he said.

Responding to a question about PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti urging him to meet the Home Minister regarding the transfer of Kashmiri prisoners to J&K jails, Abdullah said, “We are all concerned about this issue. But nothing can be done about it in Srinagar. Security-related decisions for Jammu and Kashmir are taken in Delhi by the Home Ministry. So, it would be better if she goes to Delhi and meets the Home Minister.”

“We have already raised this matter with the Home Minister in Delhi, because the decision has to be taken there. If it’s only for show, then sure, hold protests here. No one will object,” he added.

When asked about the signature campaign he announced during his Independence Day address to garner public support for the restoration of statehood, Abdullah said the campaign is underway. “Once it is completed, we will submit it to the Central Government and the Supreme Court,” he said.