CM Counters Opposition On Signature Campaign Over Statehood
Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday expressed concerns about the likelihood of finding the 70 missing persons alive following the devastating cloudburst in Kishtwar.
Talking to reporters the Chief Minister said that efforts are now focused on recovering bodies to provide closure for the families affected. As of now, over 60 bodies have been recovered, and search operations continue in Chisoti village, where the cloudburst occurred on August 14, impacting a pilgrimage route to the Machail Mata temple. To prevent future tragedies, Abdullah announced the formation of a team of experts to assess vulnerable areas, emphasizing that the incident was caused by a cloudburst rather than a glacial lake burst. He noted the increased loss of life during this event, attributed to the ongoing pilgrimage, and highlighted the need for expert recommendations on risk mitigation. In addition to addressing the disaster, Abdullah commented on the upcoming Vice Presidential election, advocating for the INDIA bloc candidate’s victory and questioning the necessity of the election following the sudden departure of the previous Vice President. He also criticized the alteration of historical narratives in educational materials, asserting that students should learn the unaltered history of events like the Partition. Responding to opposition criticism regarding his Independence Day speech advocating for the restoration of statehood, Abdullah defended his position, stating that the opposition’s role is to challenge rather than support government initiatives. He reaffirmed his commitment to engaging with the public and addressing their needs.
