Omar Abdullah terms IIOJK demolitions a conspiracy to defame his govt
Srinagar: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah lashed out at New Delhi-imposed administration under Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for launching demolition drives in parts of the territory without the knowledge or approval of the elected government.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Omar Abdullah’s remarks follow the Jammu Development Authority’s demolition of the residence of journalist Arfaz Ahmed in Narwal, backed by a heavy police contingent, and conducted without prior notice. The action has triggered widespread outrage from political leaders, lawyers and human rights activists, who termed it a direct assault on press freedom in IIOJK.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Omar Abdullah said that field staff and revenue officials were being used to carry out demolitions without taking his government into confidence. He said that bulldozers were being pressed into service without approval from ministers, calling the entire exercise a conspiracy aimed at defaming his government.
“These officers make decisions without our consent. Revenue and field staff should function under the elected government, but bulldozers are being used without taking us on board. There is no doubt that this is an attempt to defame our government,” he said.
He questioned the selective nature of demolitions and raised questions over whether a particular community was being targeted. “Was there only one place in Jammu that was illegal. Why only one person was singled out. Was religion the reason. This kind of targeting is unjustified and raises serious concerns,” he said.
The IIOJK Chief Minister said that while his government does not justify illegal occupation of government land, any action must be uniform, lawful and transparent. “We cannot support illegal encroachments, but the policy cannot be pick and choose. Selective action only creates suspicion and mistrust,” he added.
“How can such drives be carried out without even informing the concerned minister. This has happened repeatedly. It is not a one-time issue. It smells fishy,” he said.
