Situation across border very bad despite Chinese help, says CM Omar Abdullah

Jammu: After a verbal skirmish between NC and BJP lawmakers in the Union Territory Assembly, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said there is no comparison between the divided parts of Kashmir as the situation across the border is “very bad” despite a Chinese fillip to Pakistan.

He said every part of Jammu and Kashmir is far developed even though “we have never sought help from China, America, England or France to construct our roads.”

The CM made the remarks the placate the opposition BJP and ruling National Conference members exchanging heated words over the development in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

“Whatever progress has been made in the areas across the border is because of the blessings of China,” Abdullah said.

During question hour, NC MLA and former minister Saifullah Mir in passing said that border infrastructure is better in PoK than on this side, even as he advocated for the construction of a tunnel to provide an all-weather connectivity to border areas of Keran and Jumagund in Kupwara district.

BJP’s R S Pathania objected to his comparing the two sides.

NC MLA Nazir Gurezi and Peoples Conference legislator Sajad Gani Lone came in defence of Mir, who highlighted the challenges being faced by the locals, especially during the winter when snow cuts off roads for several months. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather ensured a smooth house proceeding, but BJP Pathania decried Mir’s remarks.

Pathania told reporters outside the Assembly, “He (Mir) praised a country with which we have no diplomatic relation. Our country did not send its cricket team there to play in the Champions Trophy and this is the country which is promoting separatism and terrorism in India. Mir’s remark is of concern and condemnable and the chief minister should clarify his party’s stand on it.”

During a discussion on Lt Governor’s address while BJP member Sham Lal Sharma was speaking, Mir rose up

from his seat and questioned Pathania for terming him a “traitor.”