Srinagar, Mar 24 (KNO): Almost eight months after his release from detention, former chief minister and National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah Tuesday said he would talk about Article 370 and bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir only after J&K gets get rid of the novel coronavirus.
“I am mindful of the hardships faced by the people after August 5, 2019, but at the moment everybody needs to follow the government’s advice on social distancing to prevent the spread of coronavirus,’’ he said while taking to reporters after his release at his home at Gupkar Road in Srinagar, as per wire-service Kashmir News Observer (KNO) correspondent present there. He said that it has been 232 days since he was removed from his house and detained at the behest of the administration.
“I had thought a lot about what I would say the moment I would come out of the detention about Article 370, J&K having been broken into two Union Territories (UTs) and about the hardships faced by the people,” Omar with a grey beard said. He said he had thought of taking about how for months children couldn’t attend school, and how shopkeeper, cab operators, houseboat and shikara and factory owners suffered. “I was detained at one place, I thought of talking about all these issues,’’ he said. “But today I am mindful of that fact that we are waging a big battle of life and death. And it regrettable that we have assembled here today against the directions of the government” He said it is a must to observe social distancing to stop this disease from spreading. “We must take precautions,’’ he said.
“But how can we tell people to take precautions when we ourselves not doing it.” He said he will openly talk about the was done to the state’s politics and the situation, but there are two things. “One, we need to get rid of this coronavirus and save ourselves and all our detainees in and outside the state including Mehbooba ji, workers of NC, PDP and those who don’t belong to any party,’’ he said. “I would like to appeal to the Centre to have mercy on them and release and for Allah’s sake, if nothing at least restore3 G and 4G.”
“On a lighter note if anyone wants tips on surviving quarantine or a lock down I have months of experience at my disposal, perhaps a blog is in order, Omar tweeted after going to his family. ‘’Had lunch with my mum & dad for the first time in almost 8 months. I can’t remember a better meal even though I’ve been in a bit of a daze & don’t remember what I ate,’’ “We face the fight of our lives over the next few weeks & months as we come to terms & work to defeat #COVIDー19. I will do everything in my individual capacity to help the authorities overcome this challenge & I appeal to all of you to do the same,’’ he tweeted—(KNO)