Fazal Khan
SRINAGAR, Aug 7: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah dropping a bombshell by claiming that a Non Resident Kashmiri youth from Australia has joined a global militant outfit Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has created ripples across Kashmir. Many people are curious to know why Chief Minister kept the identity of the youth a secret? And why he stirred the hornet's nest just before the Assembly elections?
A senior politician while talking to Early Times said, "Omar wants to play politics over the issue that is why after making the revelation he did not identify the NRK youth who has joined the ISIS."
The politician said, according to the information available with him, the youth whom Omar was talking about had left the Kashmir two years ago and passport was issued by none other than the present dispensation. "The youth's passport was cleared despite the fact that his father was a former militant. Why did the investigating agencies ignore the antecedents of the youth and his family is a million dollar question which Chief Minister, who is also the Home Minister of JK, has to answer."
He said that everyone knows that getting a passport in Kashmir is a Herculean task. "Government till date has rejected thousands of applications of the people whose kith and kin were found even remotely involved in militancy. How come passport was given to this youth, whose father had militant links, needs to be probed," he added.
He said that Omar is the Home Minister of the state and I am sure that he knows each and every detail of the NRK youth who has joined the ISIS. "By not identifying the Kashmiri ISIS recruit he (Omar) is trying to play politics over the issue," he claimed.
The politician said that Omar by raking up the ISIS controversy wants to divert the attention of the people from real issues. "Omar and his party have nothing to highlight as they have failed to deliver during the past six years. He (Omar) wants to gain the sympathy of the separatists by hinting that NC indirectly is sponsoring the emergence of ISIS in Kashmir," he added.
Referring to a recent meeting between a close aide of Baba Ramdev with the chief of Jamaat-ul-Dawa, Hafiz Sayeed, in Pakistan, the politician said, "Lot of hue and cry was raised about the meeting. I believe Omar's statement is more dangerous than that meeting."
"National Conference needs to clear the air and explain its links with ISIS," the leader demanded.
Meanwhile, Police sources said that investigations are on to trace the roots of ISIS, if any in Kashmir. A top official who wished not to be named revealed:
"The NRK youth who has joined the ISIS hails from old city but his family is running a business in posh civil lines locality of Srinagar. We are trying to ascertain whether his family is in touch with him or not, and whether they have any ISIS links."
It is in place to mention here that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah earlier this week had revealed that one Non Resident Kashmiri youth from Australia has joined ISIS. Following CM's assertion security agencies operating in Kashmir had expedited the investigations into the appearance of ISIS posters and flags in some parts of Srinagar, the summer capital of JK.
The ISIS flags first time appeared in Kashmir during a pro-Palestine protest outside Jamia Masjid in old city and since then, the flags have been displayed at least five times including once in city centre Lal Chowk. On Eid day, besides ISIS flags, the flags of Al-Qaeda and Taliban were waved by youth in Eidgah area of old city. At several places in Srinagar, the pro-ISIS graffiti have appeared. |
