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J&K CM Omar Abdullah Says Wonโ€™t Demand Statehood Post-Pahalgam Attack

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that he cannot demand statehood at such a time

On Monday, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced that he would not seek statehood for the region following the tragic loss of 26 lives in the terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22. The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly passed a resolution condemning the attack.

During a special session of the J&K legislative assembly, Abdullah questioned whether his political position was โ€œso lowโ€ that he would call for statehood in the aftermath of such a catastrophe. He expressed his desire to see the area achieve statehood in the future but emphasized that, as the nation mourns the victims, now is not the appropriate time to pursue that goal. He also took a moment to read the names and states of the victims.

Abdullah said, โ€œI will not use this moment to demand statehood. After Pahalgam, with what face can I ask for statehood for Jammu and Kashmir? Meri kya itni sasti siyasat hai? We have talked about statehood in the past and will do so in the future too, but it will be shameful on my part if I go and tell the central government that 26 people have died; now give me statehood.โ€

An emotional Abdullah conveyed his uncertainty about how to express his condolences to the families affected by the attack.

โ€œI did not know how to apologise to the families of the deceasedโ€ฆ As the host, it was my duty to ensure the tourists returned safely. I couldnโ€™t do it. I do not have the words to seek an apologyโ€ฆ What should I say to those children who lost their father and to a wife who lost her husband, who got married a few days back? They asked what was our fault; we just came for the holidaysโ€ฆ Whoever did this says they did it for us, but I want to ask: Did we approve it? Did we tell them to do this? We are not in support of this attack,โ€ he said

โ€œMilitancy and terrorism will end when people will support us. This is the beginning of thatโ€ฆ We should not say or show anything which harms this movement that has arisenโ€ฆ We can control militancy using guns, it will end only when people support us. And now it seems people are reaching that point,โ€ He added.

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