CM busy in Petty Issues, Has No Time to Discuss Grave Security Situation, says Omar

Riyaz ul Khaliq

SRINAGAR

Omar Abdullah during discussion on Governor’s speech on May 27, 2016. (KL Image: Bilal Bahadur)

Lashing out PDP-BJP government for maintaining “criminal” silence over the “grave security situation” in Jammu and Kashmir, Leader of Opposition, Omar Abdullah took a dig at CM Ms Mehbooba Mufti for not taking the “security developments seriously”.

Omar was speaking in the Lower House during Zero Hour after Opposition NC and Congress members created din asking government to issue a statement on security situation in state post major Pampore attack.

Eight CRPF men were killed while two militants died in the highway shoot out last Saturday evening in South Kashmir’s Pampore town.

“Why do we (Opposition members) come to know about security related developments through newspapers,” Omar asked government.

Earlier, Dy CM, Dr Nirmal Singh, had told the house that PDP-BJP government was “concerned about the situation in J&K”.

“We accept government is concerned but you need to take house in to confidence,” Omar told the treasury benches, “we are elected members and are responsible to our people.”

The dead CRPF men in Pampore.

Seeking statement over the security situation of J&K from Chief Minister, who is also Home Minister, Omar asked government “whether it was true that CRPF is being replaced by BSF in state”.

Omar asked government to tell the house about its measures to stop “infiltration in to J&K”. “Come with a prepared statement and take the house in to confidence.”

“Union HM, Def Min, DG CRPF have issued statements but our elected CM is busy in petty issues; she comes to give statements on less importance issue but has not time to tell this house what is her government doing about security of our people,” Omar told the house.

After pressure from Opposition members that government should inform the house about the steps it has taken to improve the security in J&K, Dy CM Dr Nirmal Singh said, “we are concerned about the matter.”

“It is not only J&K’s concern but it is a concern across mainland India,” He told the house, “and reasons about deteriorating security are within the state as well.”

The senior BJP member and Dy CM added, “it is a proxy war fought across the border.”

He apprehended that because Amarnath Yatra is nearing and Tourism season is at peak, “these incidents can happen with anyone.” “Government is very serious,” he claimed.

However, responding to the statement of Dy CM, Omar asked the government “what it was doing for the security of people of J&K”.

“Amarnath Yatra is a temporary exercise which ends in a month; tourism season will end within three months but what about those who live here round the year,” Omar asked Treasury benches, “what about the people living on borders who face panic and problems for 12 months?”

CRPF men standing near the bus which came under attack at Pampore on last Saturday. (KL Image: Bilal Bahadur)

Unable to satisfy the Opposition, Dy CM stood again and told the house that PDP-BJP government will “issue a detailed statement over the security situation of J&K in wake of Pampore attack on Thursday in the house.”

Earlier, NC’s A M Sagar asked the state what it was doing when “union government was proactive viz-a-viz security of J&K”.

“Home Ministry team is here; Union HM, Def Min, DG CRPF have issued statement but your government is silent,” Sagar told the Treasury benches.

He said security situation is J&K has “deteriorated in the wake of BJP’s war cry in the house”. “You are an insensitive government,” Sagar told the PDP-BJP government.

He was supported by Communist Lawmaker M Y Tarigami. “Sagar sahab is right, we support him,” he told the house.

Yatris negotiating the rough track at Teerial Pather while on way to Amarnath cave. (KL Image: Bilal Bahadur)

NC’s Devender Singh Rana asked BJP to detail its policy about Pakistan. “You are saying that you will beat Pakistan,” Rana told speaker, “Mubarak ho!” “But tell us what are you going to do,” he asked Ravinder Rain who stood and interrupted his speech.

Sensing trouble in the house, PDP’s CAPD Minister, Ch Zulfikar Choudhary, on behalf of the government, told the house, “It (security situation) is concern of the ruling party. We are serious about the matter and are looking in to the security of the state.”

However, he was stopped by Sagar who told Zulfikar, “you can’t speak on this sensitive issue when Dy CM is present in the house.”

Dr Nirmal Singh was sitting in his seat but silent till he was forced to issue the statement.

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