Omar Abdullah: Discussion on statehood restoration should conclude soon

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that discussions on restoring the Union Territory’s statehood should conclude so that people get what they have been demanding.

Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Abdullah said people have been waiting for this and it is time their demand is fulfilled.

“Let there be discussions, it is a good thing. But we would want the discussions to conclude soon and that we get what we are demanding,” he said.

He was speaking on the sidelines of a special national integration camp organised by the Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh NCC Directorate.

The restoration of statehood is doing the round lately with reports suggesting that the Centre was actively working for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

Reports said that statehood could be restored with the need for holding fresh elections. Reacting to reports, Abdullah on Wednesday said if holding of fresh elections was necessary for the restoration of statehood, he was ready to step aside. However, he also dismissed such reports as “planted stories”.

Jammu and Kashmir lost its statehood and limited autonomy after the Centre abrogated Article 370 in 2019. The BJP promised to restore statehood after delimitation and elections. Both the conditions have been met but the issue of statehood continues to hang fire.

The chief minister also welcomed the sanctioning of development projects worth ₹10,600 crore for the Union Territory. He said the approved projects, including major tunnels, would give a much-needed boost to connectivity and development.

“There was a demand for a Mughal Road tunnel for long, since the road was completed in 2008–09. People wanted the road to remain open throughout the year,” he said. “Similarly, there was a long-pending demand for a tunnel on the Sadhna pass to connect Tangdhar. That too has now been approved.”

Abdullah said several other important projects have also been cleared under the new package. “₹10,600 crore is not a small amount. However, we will now push for more tunnels, like in Gurez, which have been left out,” he added.

Talking about the role of the National Cadet Corps (NCC), he praised its impact on the youth, saying it builds discipline, confidence, patriotism, and life-long friendships.

He said that 10 NCC cadets recently climbed the highest mountain in the world, including a boy from Kathua in Jammu and a girl from Ladakh. “This is a huge achievement. Reaching the top of the world at the age of 18 shows the kind of confidence and training they get through the NCC,” he said.

Encouraging more young people to join the NCC, he said he hoped the cadets attending the camp would return home and tell their friends and relatives to visit Kashmir for holidays.

“I want more youngsters to join the NCC. I hope they enjoy their time here and when they return home, they tell their friends, neighbours and relatives to visit Kashmir on vacations,” he said.

India