Omar warns Centre not to test J&K’s patience over statehood

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday reiterated that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have been patient in their demand for the restoration of statehood, but warned that the Centre should not take advantage of this patience. He cautioned that the situation could change rapidly but emphasised that it should not escalate to the level witnessed in Ladakh.

Responding to questions from the media in Ganderbal, Kashmir, where he was asked about statehood and the recent violence in Ladakh, Omar said, “The situation can change within no time, but we do not want it to reach the level we are witnessing in Ladakh. Statehood is our right. The people of Ladakh had demanded Union Territory status, yet it has not improved their lives. We do not want innocent people to suffer in Jammu and Kashmir. We do not want bloodshed of innocents here again. We will continue to put forth our demands peacefully.”

“People have been very patient so far regarding the restoration of statehood, but this should not be taken advantage of,” Abdullah told reporters.

The Chief Minister stressed that the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is not a favour but a promise made to the people. “Statehood is not a favour. It is a promise made by the Government of India not only to the people of Jammu and Kashmir but also to the Supreme Court. The government repeatedly assured the Supreme Court that statehood would be restored through a three-step process—delimitation, elections and then statehood. The first two steps have been completed, and now it is time to fulfill the promise of statehood,” he added.

On the situation in Ladakh, Abdullah said his party had warned the people there about the possible consequences of being made a Union Territory long before the region was granted that status.

“As far as the people of Ladakh are concerned, we had cautioned them well before they were granted UT status to be careful with their demand for Union Territory, as it might not be beneficial for them. They got the UT status, and instead of benefiting from it, they have faced losses,” he said.