The Army, which was deployed in parts of Srinagar four days ago to assist the civil administration, may be withdrawn from the streets early next week, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah said on Saturday. The state government would consider withdrawing its deployment from the Valley after Martyrs’ Day on Tuesday, he said, if there was an improvement in the situation.
“Even now the Army has not been brought into the city. It is only in the periphery, that too it was deployed two days ago,” the CM told PTI in an interview. He acknowledged it had been a difficult decision, one that he wouldn’t want to repeat.
Mr Abdullah noted that not more than six or eight columns of the Army had been used so far. “So far they came out only on two days. The Army did not come out yesterday. We deployed them twice. The first day we deployed them a little more than the second day. On the second day, we deployed them near the airport and on Foreshore Road.”
He added: “The situation is being monitored on a daily basis. We will consider (withdrawal) after July 13, and take a decision.” Martyrs’ Day is commemorated every year in memory of those who died fighting Dogra rule in Kashmir.
The chief minister also made a fresh appeal on Saturday to the People’s Democratic Party, the state’s main Opposition party, to reconsider its decision to not attend the all party meeting on Monday. PDP sources said the CM wrote to PDP president
Mehbooba Mufti that he was “pained to hear” about her party’s decision and requested her to reconsider.
“We are on the crossroads of a crucial phase in Kashmir and it is time for all of us to join hands and work together to pave the way forward irrespective of our political beliefs. Let us all come together to do a comprehensive analysis of the situation and jointly lay a roadmap for a better tomorrow for our people,” Mr Abdullah was quoted as saying in his letter. He said the PDP’s decision to not join Monday’s deliberations was “unfortunate and painful”.
The CM added: “I will be personally grateful if you kindly reconsider your decision and participate in the deliberations. This participation of yours will help us to evolve a detailed all-inclusive agenda for the future.” The PDP had said on Friday it did not see any merit in attending the meeting.
In the PTI interview, Mr Omar Abdullah also ruled out resigning from his post and also dismissed speculation that his father, Union minister Farooq Abdullah, who is also a former chief minister of the state, would step into his shoes.
“A host of people would like me to quit but I am not contemplating such a decision,” he said when asked if he had at any time thought of quitting.
Asked about his father’s arrival in Srinagar in the midst of the current crisis, and amid reports that he would like to take over as CM, Mr Abdullah said there was also criticism when his father was not in Kashmir.
“And now that he is coming for his mother’s death anniversary tomorrow, my detractors are speculating.”