SRINAGAR: Opposition National Conference on Wednesday raised questions in the Assembly over security situation in Kashmir, seeking to corner the government which said the State was facing proxy war from Pakistan rather and not an ordinary law and order problem.
Raising the issue against the backdrop of last week’s terror attack on CRPF convoy, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah demanded a statement from the government about the steps being taken to ensure safety of people in the Valley.
Responding to Omar’s demand, Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh assured the House that a detailed statement would be made tomorrow.
“It is not just a law and order problem. It is a proxy war from across the border,” Singh said.
“We are in touch with the Centre over the matter. We want to ensure a peaceful and incident-free Amarnath Yatra and tourist season,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.
Omar said while it was good that government was concerned about the safety of Amarnath pilgrims and tourists, it should also think about the safety of the people living in the State. “The Amarnath Yatra will be over in a month and the tourist season will finish in two months but what about the safety of people living in the state throughout the year, especially those living in the border areas,” the former Chief Minister asked.
He said although the Assembly has been in session, the government has maintained silence over the security issue.
“Today we come to know about various things through the media. Media reports say the infiltration is up or down, another report says CRPF will be withdrawn from road opening duty and another one says BSF will be recalled for counter-insurgency duties. What is the truth? The government should make a detailed statement on this,” Omar said.
Launching a scathing attack on Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, he said “she chooses a question and intervenes during the Question Hour. That makes up for the press release and then she is not here. Please tell the Chief Minister to come to the House and make a statement on the issue tomorrow.”
Tomorrow is the last day of the Budget session.
Earlier, National Conference MLAs Ali Mohammad Sagar and Devender Rana, supported by CPI(M) MLA M Y Tarigami, said that while everyone was concerned about the security issue, the State Government was “silent”.
“The Prime Minister is concerned, the Defence Minister and Home Minister are concerned about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. The team from Centre is here and DG CRPF is also here. But the state which is affected, its government is silent,” Sagar said.