‘Articles 370, 35-A weren’t useless footnotes written in opaque legalese’

Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday took on the Union Government on decisions taken on August 5, 2019 saying Articles 370, 35-A were not useless footnotes written in unfathomable legalese.

Omar is on an extensive tour of the Jammu region and has been addressing public gatherings in the Pir Panjal range on a daily basis. On Sunday he was addressing a party rally in Doda.

“The discriminatory approach of the center towards Jammu and Kashmir smacks of some vengeance towards the people. One is at its wits end to understand what the center is up to in Jammu and Kashmir. It remains a mystery for us as to why this government is desperate in its handling of the people of J&K and Ladakh? Why is Ladakh allowed to retain resident certificates? Why not such protections for the residents of Jammu, Kashmir, Doda, Kistawar Pir Panjal? Such iniquitous measures smack of some out of sight designs of helmsmen in New Delhi,” Omar said adding “Unlike Ladakh, the flood gates have been left open for non-locals to apply for government jobs and own land in Jammu and Kashmir.”

Where are the jobs for youth? Where is the much touted accountability and projected investment? Weren’t the people of Jammu, Kashmir, Chenab and Pir Panjal region poised to have job extravaganza for our youth? Where is the new infrastructure on ground? Where are those investment drives? We didn’t see Tata and Birla invest in Jammu and Kashmir after the nullification of the state’s status. Where is it?” Omar said adding, “The claims of the BJP government that the abrogation of Article 370 and downgrading of a State into two union territories has paved the way for new industries, created new employment opportunities, decreased terror incidents, brought atmosphere of peace and security, nurtured democracy, eradicated corruption, brought new Central laws for betterment of people in this region are far-fetched. The ground situation belies these claims.”

Omar said that Chenab and Pir Panjal regions have been completely relegated to oblivion post 2019.

Situation in Doda, Kistawar, Ramban and other towns and cities of Chenab region, Omar rued is no different and the region, which had been rescinded from the development radar of the government post 2015, received a fatal blow to its developmental prospectus. “Jobs for youth, connectivity, electricity, health and education in this region have taken a back seat in the region since 2015. Post 2019 the region has completely been relegated into oblivion,” he said.