Omar tells govt to deal with incursions strongly

The Centre's dealing on such issues should be unambiguous and similar vis-a-vis both Pak and China, he sai

Criticising the Centre for "different treatment" toward two neighbouring countries- Pakistan and China over the incursion issue, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said India should take up the issue strongly with both countries to prevent such incidents.

"If Pakistan had intruded 10 to 15 kms inside the Indian Territory we would have raised lot of hue and cry. We would have severed cricketing ties with the neighbouring country, stopped playing football, and suspended the peace talks, trade ties," Omar told a public rally in Kathua district.

But when it comes to China, Omar said, "we are not adopting tough posturing. We are trying to resolve the issue by sitting across the table. There is a calm as if nothing has happened."

The Centre's dealing on such issues should be unambiguous and similar vis-a-vis both the neighbours, he said.

"We would like the Central government to take up this issue with both China and Pakistan strongly and on same terms so that no such incident takes place in future", Omar said.

On treating Pakistan differently on the issue, he said, "We would have threatened them (Pak) to vacate our land else we would not talk to you --we will not do trade with you--we will do nothing with you. I failed to understand why there is different treatment to two separate neighbours."

Omar also urged the Union Government to give clear message to China on incursion issue, adding, that this kind of situations have always put the people who live in frontier areas under difficulties besides hampering the development process.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that people of Jammu, Kashmir, Leh, Kargil and all other areas of the State have made many sacrifices to protect and preserve solidarity, harmony and brotherhood in the region.

"They want to be free from such intrusions and live in an atmosphere of calm and peace and carry on day-to-day life activities smoothly and without any interference," the CM asserted.

Omar noted that the State has witnessed over 20 years of militancy and suffered a lot both in respect of losing precious human lives and by way of huge damage to economy and infrastructure.

"Now we are in the process of restoring peace and tranquillity and a beam of light is in sight at the end of the dark tunnel," he said elaborating that the government wants to percolate the benefits of peace holistically and equitably all across the State.

The Chief Minister lauded the people of the State for keeping the torch of communal harmony and brotherhood alight even under difficult circumstances.

Omar said that some people with vested interests are always out to hatch conspiracies and divide the people through deceitful means.

"You commonly find such people during the election time. Their only goal is to divide you for vote bank politics", he said and asked the people to beware of such people and defeat their designs by showing unity and amity at all levels.