J&K parties flay domicile order

SRINAGAR: The J&K domicile order, notified on Tuesday, evoked criticism from all political parties with even those who promised people relief and reconciliation through this order coming out in the open vocally expressing opposition to it.

Former CM Omar Abdullah said the new law was an insult to the people as there were none of the promised protections. He lashed out at the timing of the notification. "At a time when all our efforts and attention should be focused on COVID outbreak, the government slips in a new domicile law for J&K. Insult is heaped on injury when we see the law offers none of the protections that had been promised," he said in a series of tweets.

Alluding to the JK Apni Party leader, Omar Abdullah said the law was so hollow politicians with Delhi’s blessings were forced to slam it.

Altaf Bukhari, chief of JK Apni Party, has said that the timing of the notification is ill-timed and has been issued when the country is battling Coronavirus. "It should be put on hold," he said. Bukhari, who had said in public the PM had promised protection of domicile, jobs and land rights for the residents of J&K, now said: “It is most unfortunate such an important order has been issued at a time when the whole country is battling for its survival and is under strict lockdown to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

“While JKAP had been vehemently demanding Domicile Rights on land and jobs for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the order issued by the Centre reflects a casual exercise at bureaucratic level without taking aspirations and expectations of people into consideration.”

—Agencies