● ‘Jammu-Srinagar train will boost tourism’
● ‘Trying to build ecosystem for startup culture in J&K’
● ‘Want lasting peace in West Asia, end to war’
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Monday asserted that a life threatening attack on any political leader was unacceptable and should not happen anywhere.
Rebuffing use of violence, he stated that none could better understand the enormity of violent attacks than the people of J&K. Differences, if any, could be expressed verbally and not by physically harming anyone, he reiterated.
His assertion was in response to a media query about the recent shooting incident in Washington, presumably assassination attempt on US President Donald Trump. He also reiterated his call for lasting peace in West Asia with an immediate end to war in Iran.
The Chief Minister was speaking to the media after inaugurating the School of Architecture (SoA) building at the Government College of Engineering and Technology (GCET) in Jammu.
With regard to direct Jammu-Srinagar train service, commencing from April 30, the Chief Minister stated that it would definitely boost up tourism to a significant level.
“I’ve repeatedly maintained that so far, the capacity of the train, being operated, was very limited. The train only with 8 bogies (coaches) was being run between Katra and Srinagar. Now the train will have 20 bogies, thus facilitating an increase in the number of passengers. This is good. It should happen,” he said, adding, “Increase in train capacity and frequency is what we want. There are a couple of things or points which I want to share but that I’ll convey on April 30 in front of the (Railway) Minister.”
Answering a question about his visit to the GCET and startup culture in J&K, he said that his government was focussing on creating a sound startup ecosystem in J&K.
“To have a startup culture (in J&K) is very important. In fact, it is imperative now. It is not a secret that many states have already taken initiatives on this account and we are lagging behind. Now we will learn from their experiences. We will not repeat the mistakes they (other states) have committed during this journey,” he said.
Referring to attempts made to boost startup culture in the UT, CM Omar elaborated, “That was why we announced start-up policy in 2024 and provisions for funding were made in the budget. Efforts are being made to create an ecosystem for startups here (in J&K). In this connection, the Government College of Engineering and Technology (GCET) had demanded an incubation centre. We will work to set up this incubation centre here this year.”
Responding to a question about the recent assassination attempt on US President Donald Trump, CM Omar’s prompt response was, “Shukr Hai, Bach Gaya! (Thankfully, he remained unhurt).”
“None wants that he (Trump) should be hurt anyway. Though politics is a very dirty thing. There may be differences. But they should be expressed verbally. But to physically harm anyone is not justifiable, nowhere. As I’ve already said, it is heartening that he has escaped unhurt in such a murderous assault,” he stated.
Contextualising the issue in the backdrop of the violent past of J&K, the Chief Minister said, “I hope that no political leader should face these kinds of assaults. Who knows better than us – the people in Jammu and Kashmir about the gravity of such attacks? During the last 30-35 years, how many people have we lost – belonging to different political parties- be it National Conference, BJP, Congress, PDP, CPI-M or some other party? Many workers and leaders belonging to different political parties have fallen prey to the bullets or terrorism. This should not happen.”
When asked about his take on the US president’s move to cancel the visit of his envoys to Pakistan for peace talks with Iran, the Chief Minister stated, “Yes, he said that talks could be held telephonically. Let it be telephonically – but it should happen.”
“We want the resumption of peace again. This war should end permanently and Iran should be allowed to live peacefully. So far, none can make us comprehend – what was the rationale for this war? Yet it happened. Whatever they (US) did, it was unjust. But now they should ensure lasting peace,” CM Omar reiterated.
