Omar Targets BJP Over Denial Of Permission To Visit Rajouri
KO NEWS SERVICE
JAMMU: National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said the gates of his house here were locked by the police and he was escorted to his office like a "criminal" to stop him from visiting Sunderbani area of Rajouri district.
Taking potshots at the BJP and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Singh-led administration, the former chief minister said, "This has not happened for the first time."
"And as the (Lok Sabha) elections draw closer, I am sure such curbs will witness a spurt," he told reporters at the party headquarters here.
Abdullah said that the "gates of my house have been locked since this morning" on the pretext of a law and order situation.
"I have taken pictures because I know the police will later deny placing curbs on me," he added.
The National Conference vice president said that he was planning to visit the Sunderbani area of Rajouri to take part in a party function but was denied permission.
"Even the sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) accompanied me to the (party) office like a criminal is being escorted. This is for the first time that the SDPO accompanied me from my house to the office to personally see that my vehicle does not take any other turn," he said.
The former chief minister reiterated his earlier assertion that democracy is not allowed to reach Jammu and Kashmir.
"They have once again proved it. They are saying everyone is free to carry out political activities, but it is only for those who are praising the BJP and its government," Abdullah said.
"The people like us who are not government stooges or not involved in BJP flattering face such types of curbs. We are now accustomed to such things," he added.
Responding to a question that he was denied permission as the authorities were apprehensive that his visit might flare up situation due to tension between the Gujjars and the Paharis after the later were included in the Scheduled Tribes, Omar quipped, "that means the government is weak and I can disturb the situation all alone".
"I am feeling lucky that I have become so powerful that the government is afraid of me that they need to lock to keep me at home. It is good they are praising me, I have never thought myself so powerful but now I have to rethink it," he said.
The National Conference leader said the government's action shows that it has no power, ability and courage.
"It is better for them to leave the government and hand over the power to us who have command over the people and who can provoke or silence the people for the overall betterment of Jammu and Kashmir," he said.