'Too much security cover for Amarnath Yatra': Farooq Abdullah questions Centre’s normalcy ‘claim’

Farooq Abdullah

Less than a week before Jammu and Kashmir heads to the polling stations, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah questioned Centre’s ‘claim’ of normalisation of law and order in the Union Territory. If the security conditions had indeed improved, why is Delhi maintaining such an elaborate security ring in the region, said the former chief minister speaking at Aaj Tak's 'Panchayat' event on the banks of Srinagar's iconic Dal Lake.

"There never used to be so many forces during Amarnath Yatra... They (tourists) come like prisoners and are taken away like prisoners in caged buses," the National Conference chief said.

Mincing no words, the veteran leader quipped that the current administrative setup in the union territory goes against the wishes of the popular will. “Why is there no representation of Kashmiris in the higher echelons of administration. Are our people not capable to serve in important administrative positions? questioned Abdullah.

Abdullah pointed out that despite having complete control over J&K for the past five years, the Centre had not managed to bring terrorism under control. The former Chief Minister cited the June terror attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi district to buttress his point.

The veteran J&K politician said Article 370, which provided special status to the erstwhile state, would be restored in due time. "We will achieve it one day, there is no hurry. India also took 200 years to become independent," Abdullah said.

The Congress and the National Conference are jointly fighting the upcoming polls. The alliance was announced last month when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge visited Gupkar, the residence of NC president Farooq Abdullah and vice president Omar Abdullah.