No comparison between divided parts of Kmr, situation across border “very bad”
NAVNEET DUBEY
Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday pointed out that China has aided the development of infrastructure across the Line of control (LoC) in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). CM said that the development seen in PoK is primarily driven by China, with no significant role played by the Pakistan government in its progress and the situation is very bad in PoK.
Omar Abdullah made the statement after a verbal exchange between members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the National Conference over the condition of border areas along LoC in the region.
During question hour, NC MLA Saifullah Mir made a comparison that road infrastructure across LoC is far better in the part of PoK viz a viz Keran in Kashmir region. Mir even advocated for the construction of a tunnel to provide an all-weather connectivity to border areas of Keran and Jumgund in Kupwara district.
BJP’s R S Pathania objected to his comparison of the two sides. NC MLA Nazir Gurezi and Peoples Conference legislator Sajad Gani Lone came in defence of Mir, who highlighted the challenges being faced by the locals, especially during the winter when snow cuts off roads for several months.
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, even though he ensured a smooth house proceeding, later decried Mir’s remarks and sought a clarification from party leader Abdullah.
“He (Mir) praised a country with which we have no diplomatic relation. Our country did not send its cricket team there to play in the Champions Trophy and this is the country which is promoting separatism and terrorism in India. Mir’s remark is of concern and condemnable and the chief minister should clarify his party’s stand on it,” Pathania told reporters outside the assembly.
During a discussion on Lt Governor’s address while BJP member Sham Lal Sharma was speaking, Mir rose up from his seat and questioned Pathania for terming him a “traitor.” “My intention was not to draw a comparison between the two parts (of Kashmir), “he said.
Gurezi also stood up from his seat in defence of Mir and said “If someone had worn a coat, what is wrong when I say he is having a good coat,” sending the house in a commotion.
Sensing the situation getting out of control, the chief minister requested the members to take up their seats, and said, “Gurezi is not wrong in his statement but he had not completed his talk.” Abdullah said, “All what has been done on the borders is for show off and that also was not done by them (Pakistan) on its own. Whatever progress was made in the border areas across the border was because of the blessings of China while there is no progress in the rest of the areas.” He said the development can be a matter of discussion but Mir, who lives near the Line of Control, is not wrong in sharing what he sees.
“The situation is very bad there (in PoK)… We have never sought help from any other country, we have not asked China, America, England or France to build our roads. The roads constructed across the border were done by China,” he said, adding, every part of Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed development even as “we have not provided coats to our border people.” He said the coats given to the people across the border have empty pockets, drawing laughter in the house.
“We should not get entangled in such unnecessary arguments. Wherever there is need for development, it should happen and wherever there is need for further improvement that will also be done for the welfare of the people,” Abdullah said.
