Omar links Wangchuk relief to broader call for compassion towards detained Valley youth

Srinagar, 14-03-2026: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday welcomed the Union Government’s decision to revoke the National Security Act detention of Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk and said the same spirit of compassion should now be extended to young people detained in the Kashmir Valley during the recent anti-US and anti-Israel protests. Speaking to reporters in Srinagar on the sidelines of the Spring Festival at Badamwari, Omar said Wangchuk should never have been arrested in the first place, particularly under the stringent NSA.

The Chief Minister said the move in Wangchuk’s case should serve as an opportunity to consider relief for others as well, especially during the holy month of Ramadan with Eid approaching. He argued that those facing minor charges, first-time offenders and those who may have already spent longer in detention than the likely punishment in their cases deserve sympathetic consideration. According to Omar, the release of such detainees would be an appropriate gesture of goodwill and a positive message in the present atmosphere.

He specifically referred to youngsters detained in connection with recent protests in the Valley, saying many of them were either first-time offenders or were not actively involved in the demonstrations in any major way. He maintained that withdrawing cases against some of them and facilitating their release from jail would reflect a humane and balanced approach. His remarks placed the issue in the context of reconciliation and public goodwill rather than confrontation.

Omar also spoke briefly on Ladakh, saying that stability in the region must be maintained and that just as commitments made to Jammu and Kashmir should be honoured, promises made to Ladakh too must be fulfilled. His comments came as the Centre formally revoked Wangchuk’s NSA detention with immediate effect, a development reported by multiple outlets on Saturday.

Responding to questions about the Centre’s reported review of security arrangements for his father, former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, after the recent assassination attempt in Jammu, Omar questioned the value of a post-incident review unless the reasons for the lapse were first explained. He said the attack should never have happened and stressed that accountability for the breach must come before any further discussion on corrective steps.

On tourism, the Chief Minister expressed hope that the Spring Festival at Badamwari and the forthcoming opening of the Tulip Garden would mark a strong beginning to the summer tourist season in Kashmir. At the same time, he cautioned that rising airfares linked to tensions in the Middle East and fuel surcharges introduced by airlines could affect travel patterns and tourist inflow. Even so, he said the government remained optimistic that the encouraging start to the season would translate into a healthy rise in visitor numbers.