Statehood vital to stop policy distortions, CM Omar says no new liquor shops opened
Srinagar: Reiterating the demand for restoration of statehood to stop policy distortions, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday clarified his remarks on liquor shops in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that his government has opened no new outlets and does not promote alcohol among local youth.
According to Kashmir Media Service, speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Omar said his earlier comments were “twisted” by political opponents. “There is no confusion. My administration has neither opened new liquor shops nor encouraged alcohol consumption among local youth,” he stated.
“Our religion does not permit us, nor do we want our people to go there,” he said, adding that his government ensured no shops come up where youth could be negatively influenced. He accused opposition parties of selectively targeting his remarks while ignoring similar statements made by past governments.
Omar stressed that lack of statehood was allowing his brief answers to be misrepresented. “Had Jammu and Kashmir been a full state, such distortions by opponents would not arise,” he said, reaffirming that only restoration of statehood can safeguard administrative clarity and protect youth from misleading narratives.
