Omar Pledges Statehood Restoration, Says PoJK Unrest Vindicates 1947 Stand

Srinagar, Aug 15: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday reaffirmed his government’s commitment to restoring statehood and constitutional guarantees to Jammu and Kashmir, saying efforts would also continue to place the Union Territory on a sustained path of development.

Addressing the Independence Day gathering in Srinagar, Abdullah said his government would continue to pursue the restoration of the constitutional guarantees withdrawn in August 2019.

Referring to the ongoing protests in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), the Chief Minister said the developments across the Line of Control had reinforced the position taken by National Conference founder Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah and other Kashmiri leaders during the events of 1947.

“When I see the situation across the border, I realise that our ancestors who said, ‘Hamlavar khabardar, hum Kashmiri hain tayyar’ (attackers beware, we Kashmiris are prepared), were right,” Abdullah said.

He recalled the role of NC leader Master Abdul Aziz, who, he said, was killed in Muzaffarabad while attempting to resist the Pakistan-backed tribal invasion.

Abdullah also said that people in PoJK might have sought to join Jammu and Kashmir had the Centre not altered the region’s special constitutional status in 2019.

“We have kept seats vacant for the other side in the hope that some day these will be filled,” he said.

The Chief Minister reiterated that restoration of statehood and constitutional guarantees remained among his government’s key commitments.