Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday asserted that his administration’s calm approach should not be seen as a sign of weakness, emphasizing that the aspirations of the people of the Union Territory will not be compromised.
“Some people think that we are weak because we don’t indulge in threats and intimidation, but I want to tell them that we are not weak. Don’t mistake our politeness for weakness. We will not trade the dreams and aspirations of the people of J-K. We are not here due to someone’s favour. If anyone has done us a favour, it is the Almighty and the voters of J-K,” Omar Abdullah said while addressing a function at the newly inaugurated block of the Bone and Joint Hospital at Barzulla.
He also criticized the police action on Monday, where leaders were stopped from paying tributes at the Naqshband Sahib graveyard to the 22 martyrs killed by the Dogra Army on July 13, 1931.
“This should not have happened. It was unfortunate because we were not breaking any law. The restrictions were for (July) 13 and not 14. It should not have happened,” he said.
Omar Abdullah expressed gratitude to leaders across the country, including from West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, for showing solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chief Minister also took a strong stance on the recent Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, welcoming the Lieutenant Governor’s belated acknowledgment of an intelligence failure behind the incident.
“After 80 days, it is better late than never. We did not say it (earlier) even knowing that such a big attack could not have taken place without (intelligence) failure,” Abdullah told reporters on the sidelines of an event.
Reacting to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s statement in an interview where he took full responsibility for the attack, Abdullah said, “He has perhaps said there was an intelligence failure. If that is so, then who is responsible for that? It cannot happen that 26 people lose their lives and there is no progress. When we accept there was an intelligence failure, then someone has to be held responsible.”
Earlier in the day, while inaugurating the new block of the Bone & Joint Hospital in Barzulla, the Chief Minister described the development as a major step toward improving specialized healthcare in the region. In a post on his official X handle, he wrote: “Chief Minister inaugurated the new block of Bone & Joint Hospital, Barzulla, a significant step towards strengthening specialized healthcare infrastructure in J&K. The upgraded facilities will greatly enhance patient care and medical services in the region.”
The day’s events reflected a mix of somber reflection, strong political messaging, and a commitment to strengthening the governance and infrastructure of Jammu and Kashmir.
