Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah said on Saturday that people in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) could have risen to demand their merger with J&K if the Centre had not abrogated the region’s special status and revoked its statehood in 2019.
Speaking at an Independence Day function in Srinagar after hoisting the national flag, Abdullah said the situation across the Line of Control (LoC) causes "pain, regret, and deep distress".
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His remarks come amid continued action by Pakistani security forces against people in PoK, with several protesters reportedly killed or injured in firing in recent months.
Omar Abdullah’s statehood pitch in Independence Day address
Abdullah said people in PoK could have been demanding to join Jammu and Kashmir if the Centre had not withdrawn the region's special constitutional provisions in 2019.
"When I see the situation across the border, I realise that our ancestors who said 'hamlavar khabardar, hum Kashmiri hain tayyar' (Attackers beware, Kashmiris are prepared) were right," he said.
{{/usCountry}}"When I see the situation across the border, I realise that our ancestors who said 'hamlavar khabardar, hum Kashmiri hain tayyar' (Attackers beware, Kashmiris are prepared) were right," he said.
{{/usCountry}}He added, “Today, when we look at that part of Jammu and Kashmir across the LoC, there is pain, sorrow, and worry. In my place, I have the realisation that perhaps if our conditions had not been changed in 2019, the people of that part of Jammu and Kashmir would today be protesting to reconnect with us.”
‘Seats still kept for them in assembly’: Abdullah
The CM said that people living in PoK are regarded “as our own”, adding that seats have been reserved for them in the Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly.
"That part of Jammu and Kashmir is ours. We consider those people as our own. Seats are still kept for them in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly with the hope that one day those people will be able to use those empty seats," he said.
He said the developments in PoK had proved the decision taken by National Conference founder and his grandfather Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, along with his colleagues, to fight the Pakistani raiders in 1947 was justified.
Our govt committed to restoring statehood: CM
He reiterated that his government remains committed to restoring statehood and other constitutional guarantees to Jammu and Kashmir.
"I want to assure the people that we are for you, we will continue to represent you and work to bring Jammu and Kashmir to the level envisioned by the people who fought for freedom and were martyred," Abdullah said.
With inputs from agencies