Srinagar, Sept 16 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday advised the leadership in Ladakh and Kargil not to rely on verbal assurances from the Central government, saying commitments should be given in writing before being trusted.
Omar , while speaking to reporters, said Ladakh had its own set of issues and that he could only offer advice to its leaders as a “friend and an elder brother.”
“Please do not believe any promise of the central government until and unless they sign it and give it to you,” Omar said.
He said Jammu and Kashmir had itself experienced what he described as unfulfilled verbal assurances, referring to a commitment by the union government that statehood would be restored immediately after the Assembly elections.
“We also had a verbal promise that we will implement statehood immediately after the election. Now, it has been almost two years, that promise is nowhere,” he said.
Omar urged the leaders of Ladakh and Kargil to seek formal written commitments from the Centre, including an affidavit, before accepting assurances on their demands.
“Please do not believe any verbal promise of the central government. Until and unless they sign it and get an affidavit, I do not think the people of Ladakh will be able to achieve anything,” he said.
On the ongoing protests by employees and students seeking their redressal of grievances, Omar said people in a democracy cannot be stopped from protesting, but urged those raising their demands to choose the path of dialogue with the government.
Omar stressed that there were other ways to convey grievances to the government.
“I would request these people to please take the path of dialogue. Because, in the end, results will the come out after dialogue,” he said.
Omar said the government would not be in a position to hold discussions with people while they were engaged in protests, arguing that agreeing to demands during a protest could encourage others to adopt similar methods.
“We will not be able to talk to you while protesting,” he said. “Because, when you try to get something from us while protesting, the result will be that everyone else will come to protest.”
The Chief Minister said those who were protesting, or planning to protest, would not be stopped from exercising their right to protest.
