Any development in Kashmir, according to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, must come from real change among the populace rather than fear.
“If the changes on the ground in Kashmir reflect a true change of heart among the people, it is commendable. However, if they are driven by fear, the sustainability of such progress becomes uncertain. The current situation in Jammu and Kashmir appears to be a mix of both,” he said.
The Chief Minister acknowledged a decline in militancy and stone-pelting incidents in the valley. “There has been a significant reduction in activities like stone-pelting and protests that were prominent in 2008, 2010, and 2016. While this reflects a positive shift, much of it is also a result of the government’s stringent actions.”
Omar Abdullah criticized stringent measures that include blacklisting people, firing staff, and weaponizing the CID department are incompatible with natural justice.
He underlined that for the area to experience enduring peace and development, governance must be based on justice.
