"We are part of INDIA bloc, no question of uniting and reuniting": Omar Abdullah
Mar 28, 2024
Sopore (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], March 28 : National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that they are part of the INDIA bloc, were there from the start and will remain there.
"We are part of the INDIA bloc. There is no question of uniting and reuniting in this. We were there before, are there today too and will be there in future too," he said.
Further, speaking on the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), Omar said that Home Minister Amit Shah has not announced its removal but just said he will consider it.
"Home Minister Sahab has not announced the removal of AFSPA, do not be under this misconception. He said he would consider it, but we are afraid of the way the people of Ladakh are being deceived in the name of 6th Schedule. Parliamentary elections will be held and they will forget AFSPA again," he said.
Earlier, ahead of the Lok Sabha election, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the central government is considering pulling back some troops from Jammu and Kashmir and leaving law and order to the police.
In an interview with Jammu and Kashmir-based Gulistan News, Shah said the government will leave law and order to the Jammu and Kashmir Police.
"We have plans to pull back troops and leave law and order to the Jammu and Kashmir Police alone. We are strengthening the police, who are at the forefront during the encounter," Home Minister Amit Shah said.
"The troops will slowly and slowly go to the barracks. Such a design has already been formed. We have made a blue print of seven years," he added.
The Home Minister also indicated that the government is considering revoking the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in parts of Kashmir.
"We will definitely consider this proposal (revoke the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. The situation is being normalised. We are speedily considering this proposal," he said.
The Lok Sabha polls in the Union Territory will be held in the first five phases on April 19 (Udhampur), April 26 (Jammu), May 7 (Anantnag-Rajouri), May 13 (Srinagar) and May 20 (Baramulla). The counting of votes will be taken up on June 4.
