Says Aug 5 wounds remain unhealed; assures rehabilitation of Poonch flood victims
Raja Syed Rather
Poonch, Aug 05 :
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said the promise of restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood remains unfulfilled even seven years after the August 5, 2019 developments, asserting that the ‘wounds’ of that day have still not healed.
Speaking to reporters during his visit to the flash flood-hit areas of Poonch, the Chief Minister Omar, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the government remains committed to seeking restoration of statehood while ensuring relief and rehabilitation for the affected families.
“Today marks seven years since August 5, 2019, but the promise of restoring statehood still remains unfulfilled. As we resolved in the Assembly, we stand firm and will not accept the injustice done to us,” the Chief Minister said.
On the devastation caused by recent cloudbursts, CM Omar said the administration had completed the immediate rescue phase and was now focusing on rebuilding lives and infrastructure.
“Our priority now is rehabilitation and reconstruction. Families whose houses have been destroyed will be resettled, those whose homes have suffered damage will be assisted, and damaged infrastructure, including roads, schools, hospitals and flood protection works, will be restored,” he said.
The Chief Minister said he reviewed the situation in Surankote and Poonch with officials to ensure timely relief reaches every affected family.
Recalling the government’s response during the 2014 floods, Omar said free ration was provided across Jammu and Kashmir for six months and the same could be considered for the worst-hit areas this time as well.
“If the district administration recommends free ration in the worst-affected areas, especially where crops have been damaged, we are fully prepared to provide it,” he said.
Responding to a question about the reported display of the national flag in an inverted position by a former Chief Minister, Omar termed it an inadvertent error. “I believe it was a mistake. I cannot accept that someone who has served as Chief Minister would deliberately display the national flag upside down. It was not intentional,” he said—(KNO)