Arun Trisal
KATHUA, Oct 9: Weeks after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was seen dropping food packets to the people stranded in floods in Srinagar, while his Government had disappeared from the face of the earth, his casual visit to a camp of border dwellers who had sought shelter there after fleeing their homes due to Pak shelling has not augured well with the people in distress.
Omar who was seen operating solo in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley made a cursory visit to a single camp of border migrants at Govt Hr. Secondary School, Hiranagar, while many others in adjoining camps eagerly awaited to narrate their tales of woe to the Chief Minister, but were left heartbroken as Omar returned after visiting the single camp.
Expressing their resentment, border migrants putting up at a relief camp in Kathua namely Mohan Lal, Asha Devi, Gopal Dass, Bagwan Singh, Mohit and many others said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah deliberately ignored hundreds in agony and left many people dejected and disappointed at many relief camps in Kathua and Hiranagar.
"When we are in state of utter shock and dilemma because of continuous mortar shelling and need moral support from our leaders, the leadership including Chief Minister failed to assuage our wounds by not even lending a patient ear," rued the inmates of camp.
Meanwhile, Omar today announced special reservations in all state-run institutions for residents living in areas adjoining the International Border, which India shares with Pakistan, with a special emphasis on the police force.
"Nowadays, the International Border sees as many cases of ceasefire violations by Pakistan as Line of Control (LoC) areas do. Thus, along the pattern of the reservation for the residents near the LoC, we will provide reservation for people living in all areas adjoining the International Border," Omar announced, but his announcement failed to win hearts. |
