Centre must treat people of J-K and Ladakh equally: Omar

Jammu, December 3 dmanewsdesk:  National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Thursday accused the BJP-led Centre of treating the people of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir “differently” over protection of their land and reservation in jobs and scholarships, and demanded equal treatment.

The former chief minister also said that NC leaders and its workers were killed in bomb blasts and attacks because they were not ready to deceive and raise their voice against their country and support gun culture.

“We don’t demand anything, except justice with us (people of Jammu and Kashmir). When we were told that the aim of abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, is that there will be one order (system) across the country. Why are there two separate orders for one state,” he told a public rally in Ramban district.

Abdullah questioned the denial of rights of children of J&K at par with that of Ladakh and said that there are two separate set of state subject laws for both the union territories.

“Have our children no such rights as given to children in Ladakh. If there is reservation of jobs for children of Ladakh as per the state subject laws — If the lands of Kargil people are protected through state subject laws –If their scholarships and voting rights have been protected as per the erstwhile state subject laws of Article 370, why have we no such laws here?” he said.

Abdullah said the only reality is that two union territories were formed on August 5, 2019, out of Jammu and Kashmir.

“Contracts of works goes to outside people — mineral extractions goes to outsiders– land purchase rights given to outsiders and outsiders have been given rights to apply for jobs here (J-K). We don’t demand anything. We demand justice with us”, he said.