Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah rejected the BJP’s assertion that the security situation has improved in the Union Territory since the abrogation of Article 370.Speaking at Aaj Tak’s ‘Panchayat’ event on the banks of Dal Lake, Farooq Abdullah argued that the massive security presence during the Amarnath Yatra belies the Centre’s claim of normalcy.Farooq Abdullah pointed out that tourists are essentially treated like prisoners, with their movements heavily restricted and monitored. He noted that the large-scale deployment of forces during the Amarnath Yatra was unprecedented and contradicted the government’s narrative of improved security.The National Conference patron also criticized the Centre’s failure to control militancy in J&K, despite having complete control over the region for five years. He cited the recent militant attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi district, which resulted in nine deaths and over 40 injuries, as evidence of the ongoing security challenges.Farooq Abdullah expressed confidence that Article 370, which granted special status to the region, will be reinstated eventually. He drew a parallel with India’s struggle for independence, which took 200 years, implying that the restoration of Article 370 was a matter of time.Farooq Abdullah also disputed the Centre’s claims of a significant reduction in stone-pelting incidents since 2019, pointing out that many innocent youths are still languishing in jails. He criticized the Prime Minister for failing to follow through on a promise to establish a committee to address this issue.Furthermore, Farooq Abdullah highlighted the restrictive measures taken during the G20 Summit, where foreign dignitaries were confined to a hotel and only taken to the Dal Lake, suggesting that the Centre’s claims of normalcy in J&K are exaggerated.(KNT)
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