Omar accuses Mehbooba govt of failing to assess situation

Accusing Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti's government of failing to deal with the tense situation in the valley, leader of opposition Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said either the government failed to assess the situation arising out of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani's killing correctly or they failed to deliver on their assessment.

"I understand that either the present dispensation failed to assess the situation after the Bhuran's killing or they failed to prepare for the situation after assessment," Abdullah told reporters after paying homage to the Martyrs of 1931.

He alleged that the present dispensation was responsible for the deteriorating situation in the Valley, while saying that they are the ones who have to play larger role in restoring peace.

The National Conference leader, however, criticised the government for using police vehicles for ferrying people to show their presence before the Chief Minister. "Everything is before you. More than 30 precious lives have been lost and over 1,000 injured people have been admitted to hospitals. Every day, we are getting news from different areas that people are dying. Last night similar news came from Kupwara. And what is shameful - instead of deploying police for maintaining the law and order situation, they are being used for ferrying people to show their presence to 'wazir e aala sahiba' (Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti)," he said.

"I was surprised to see civilians were being ferried in police vehicles. Even in such a situation, their behaviour is dramatic and they refused to learn from the situation. By ignoring ground realities, how will this government improve the situation? People were forcefully taken to create a normalcy situation," Abdullah said.

Talking about his conversation with the Home Minister, the former chief minister said, "We told the Home Minister that our role in improving the situation would be there, but before that the killings would have to be stopped. UN Secretary General has also asked for maintaining restraint."

"We will definitely help improve the situation, but the situation was deteriorated due to the present dispensation, and thus, their responsibility is biggest in improving the situation," he added.

When asked if the situation was worse that 2008 and 2010, he said he won't go into it and it was for the media to analyse. "But, I will definitely say that the present dispensation has forgotten the lessons learnt in 2008 and 2010."

Meanwhile, he appealed to the Centre to send medicines for the injured as hospitals are running short. "I appeal to the Centre to send medicines in the aircraft they are sending forces, as there is a shortage of medicines in hospitals."

"Hon @narendramodi ji. After Kerala fire you carried a plane load of burn specialists with you. Please send eye/trauma specialists to Kashmir. The injured include SF persons & young boys who risk losing their sight forever. This is the time to reach out with a healing touch.

Pls don't let the fact that these youngsters people have been injured in protests stop us from giving the best care possible. Thank U jenab," Abdullah tweeted.