Srinagar: Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday accused Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti of lying on the issue of establishing a Sainik Colony for ex-servicemen in Jammu and Kashmir and dared the government “to lodge a police complaint if his proof was a fake”.
Raking up the issue of allowing non-Kashmiris to own land in the State, Mr. Abdullah circulated a document online, purporting to a proposal to allot land for a Sainik Colony. He then tweeted: “If you have the guts and truly believe this image (posted online) is fake, file a case against me in the nearest police station today. If you haven't filed a case against me in the next 24 hours, the people will know who is lying in this matter @mehbooba_mufti. Truth prevails (sic).”
According to the document, the J&K Rajya Sainik Board (RSB), headed by Governor N. N. Vohra, held a meeting on April 16 at the Raj Bhawan in Jammu.
“The Secretary RSB informs the Board members that Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, had agreed for allotment of 173 kannals of land on payment in the Old Air Field Area (Srinagar) and the case was taken up with the State Home Department.
“However, after obtaining written commitment from the beneficiaries, the number of aspirants increased to 26 officers, 15 JCOs and 900 others requiring a total of 350 kannals of land. Accordingly, a revised proposal has been forwarded to the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, and the State Home Department,” it reads.
Mehbooba denial
Rebutting the allegations, Ms Mufti, who officially opened the Civil Secretariat in summer capital Srinagar for six months on Monday, said, “Neither a Chief Minister nor a Prime Minister of the country can dilute the special status of J&K. Mr. Omar has been a chief minister himself and knows it.”
Ms. Mufti accused Mr. Abdullah of spreading lies. “Few days back he posted a picture of the 2010 protests and passed it as a recent one. I hope that Mr. Omar does not repeat his mistake today in which he has referred to some papers (about Sainik Colony),” Ms Mufti said.
She said the difficult decision to align with the BJP was not aimed at damaging the identity of the State but for safeguarding it.
