State Congress unit castigates Omar

SYED ALI SAFVI

SRINAGAR, Aug 1: Even as political unrest in Kashmir refuses to die down, state unit of Congress, a strong ally of Omar Abdullah-led coalition government, has castigated the chief minister for having "failed to deliver".

Talking to Kashmir Times, a senior Congress leader, wishing anonymity, said that the chief minister has "totally failed" as far as administrative side was concerned.

"Every day civilians are getting killed. Situation has gone from bad to worse," he said. "It would in the interest of both Omar Abdullah and the valley, if he steps down."

Stating that either change of guard or imposing governor's rule "for a brief period" may end the ongoing crisis, he asked the state's principal opposition, People's

Democratic Party (PDP) to "play a positive role" to help restore normalcy in Kashmir.

"Imposing governor's rule has its own draw backs. Don't forget Kashmir problem has national and international dimensions. New Delhi needs to do a lot of thinking before deciding on governor's rule," he said.

Asked if union minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, is asked by New Delhi to step into the shoes of Omar, he said Azad had proven his credentials as failure during 2008 Amarnath land row.

"Azad can not do anything. I think Farooq will be a good choice," he said.

Pertinently, Azad's loyalists in state Congress unit had reportedly rushed to New Delhi to ask the union minister to take over as chief minister of the state.

Blaming National Conference (NC) president Dr Farooq Abdullah for preferring to stay back in New Delhi "even during critical times", he said Farooq should have been in

Kashmir to help his party and the government to come out of the present crisis.

"These things contribute to the present unrest," he said.

Taking a dig at the chief minister, he said that being a head of unified command, Omar can not escape his responsibility in the civilian killings.

"It's very unfortunate that Omar has failed to rein in violent crisis," he said. "He seems to be helpless as security forces hardly pay heed to his directions."

Significantly, presiding over a meeting of ministers and senior civil and police officers at his Gupkar residence on June 26, the chief minister had asked senior police officers to strictly follow standard operating procedures (SOP), and exercise utmost restraint while dealing with the protesters.

Stating that the government would not tolerate any human rights violations, Omar had said, “Killing of innocents will not be tolerated in any case".

Opposition PDP has also asked the beleaguered chief minister to step down.

The party had recently locked one of the exit gates of Civil Secretariat here, to protest the state government’s "failure" in protecting the lives of people in the valley.

The party has demanded imposition of governor's rule in the state.

Similarly, state general secretary of CPI (M), MY Tarigami had also castigated state government and has asked New Delhi to understand "the message of angry people especially the youth."

"Kashmir unrest should not be misconstrued as a law and order situation," he had said.

The recent spate of civilian killings has only accentuated problems for the chief minister.