JAMMU, Sep 29 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday hit out at the Centre, accusing it of making “impossible assurances” to Ladakh and failing to deliver on its promise of restoring J&K’s statehood.
Speaking at a book launch, the National Conference leader said the Centre’s delays have widened the trust deficit. He pointed out that the roadmap promised after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 involving delimitation, elections, and then restoration of statehood remains incomplete, with the third step left unfulfilled.
On Ladakh, Omar said the Centre had “misled people” by promising inclusion under the Sixth Schedule despite knowing it was unfeasible due to the UT’s sensitive borders with China and Pakistan and its heavy military presence. “The Sixth Schedule promise was only made to ensure participation in Hill Council polls,” he claimed.
The CM also criticized the government’s U-turn on activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was recently detained under the National Security Act following violent protests in Leh demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule protections. “When he praised the Prime Minister, he was a hero. Now suddenly he’s accused of having Pakistan links,” Omar said.
Questioning the Centre’s credibility, he added, “You said it’s a three-stage process delimitation, elections, then statehood. Two are done, but the third hasn’t moved. And you wonder why there’s a trust deficit?”