Under BJP rule, J&K sees rise in militancy: Omar Abdullah

Omar Abdullah accuses BJP of failing to contain militancy in Jammu and Kashmir post Article 370 revocation.

National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah on Sunday (September 8, 2024) accused the BJP of failing to contain militancy in Jammu and Kashmir after August 5, 2019, when the Centre revoked erstwhile State’s special status. 

“My six years rule (as Chief Minister) of J&K saw a decline in the militancy graph. It declined with each passing year during my tenure. In the past five years, however, it is increasing year after year,” Mr. Abdullah said. 

He said under the current administration, militancy has “only resurged across various districts, including Kathua, Jammu, and Rajouri”.

Mr. Abdullah made these remarks in reference to Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s statement earlier that the NC-Congress alliance will bring back terrorism in J&K. 

“It is this regime that has given a new start to militancy. It is visible in every district. The NC-Congress, once it comes to power, will rectify the situation,” Mr. Abdullah said.

He said he was saddened when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr. Singh “misrepresented reality”.

“The reality is, it is our workers, Ministers and leaders who laid down their lives (to fight militancy in J&K),” the former J&K Chief Minister said.