Shortly after People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti led a protest march demanding the return of Jammu and Kashmir prisoners to local jails, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said that such decisions are under the authority of the Union Home Ministry in Delhi, not the administration in the Union Territory.
Referring to Mehbooba Mufti’s protest, he said, “She has raised the issue of prisoners’ rights, but these decisions are taken in Delhi.” He added that it would be more effective if political leaders meet the Home Minister and present their concerns directly.
He also spoke about the delay in the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Omar Abdullah said that during his first cabinet meeting after the government formation, a resolution was passed in support of statehood.
“When I first met the Prime Minister, I handed him the cabinet resolution,” he said.
However, he added that no progress has been made since then.
Referring to the Supreme Court, Omar Abdullah said the Court has not scheduled a hearing on the matter and expressed disappointment.
He added that if the Supreme Court had not set a timeline for Assembly elections, they would not have been held. He hoped that when the case comes up again after October 10, the Court will set a deadline for restoring statehood.
When asked about his party’s signature campaign, Omar Abdullah said the campaign is ongoing and will be submitted to both the Central Government and the Supreme Court once completed.(KNS).
