Omar Abdullah Seeks Expedited Statehood Discussions

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Thursday that discussions on restoring statehood to the Union Territory should be concluded soon so that people can get what they have been demanding. 

"Let there be discussions, it is a good thing. But we would want the discussions to conclude soon and that we get what we are demanding," he said.

Addressing at a special national integration camp organised by National Cadet Corps (NCC) for Jammu and Kashmir , Ladakh, Abdullah also lauded the sanctioning of several projects for Jammu and Kashmir including tunnels, costing Rs 10,600 crore and stated that these projects will give a huge boost to the Union Territory.

"There was a demand for a Mughal Road tunnel for long, since the road was completed in 2008-09. People wanted the road to remain open throughout the year. Similarly, there was a long-pending demand for a tunnel on the Sadhna pass to connect Tangdhar that has been approved,” he said.

The chief minister further claimed that many other projects were approved, adding that Rs 10,600 crore is not a nominal amount.  "Now, we will have to try for some more tunnels, like in Gurez, which have been left out," he said.

The National Conference leader said the youngsters who associate themselves with the NCC would benefit from “discipline, self-awareness, self-confidence and patriotism,” adding that it would help them “develop some relationships that benefit them lifelong," he said.

Abdullah said these youngsters can achieve a lot in their young age.

“Ten NCC cadets scaled the highest mountain peak in the world, two of them were from Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh - a boy from the Kathua area of Jammu and a girl from Ladakh. This is a huge achievement.”

He also added that sitting atop the highest mountain peak in the world at the age of 18 was seen as a testament to the discipline and self-confidence instilled through the NCC. More youngsters were encouraged to join the organisation, with the hope that their experience would not only be fulfilling but also inspire them to urge friends, neighbours, and relatives to consider Kashmir as a vacation destination.