Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah Criticizes Security Measures Post-Delhi Red Fort Blast
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah pointed out that the intention behind the latest events was to make it seem as if the people of the Union Territory were responsible, when commenting on the Delhi blast.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) November 19: After the blast near Delhi’s Red Fort on November 10, people in the region, Omar said, are being closely watched, a consequence of an aggressive security environment and the scrapping of Article 370, a move that had sent Kashmir into a violent spiral.
Article 370 Removal Failed to End Violence, Says J&K CM
He denounced the safety state of affairs in Jammu and Kashmir and, mentioning that the eradication of Article 370 has not put an end to the violence. He demanded accountability from those who are supposed to protect the region.
He said, "If there is no blast in Delhi, then it is happening here, and innocent people are losing their lives. We want these things to stop. Over the last 30-35 years, J&K has seen a lot of bloodshed. We were told in 2019 that all this would stop. But, it has not."
Security Responsibility Lies Outside Jammu and Kashmir Leadership
Clarifying that security does not fall under his area of responsibility as chief of a Union Territory, he said, “The responsibility for the ongoing situation lies with those in charge of security. Why this is still happening, you should ask those responsible for our security. We don’t have that responsibility.”
Kashmiris Face Suspicion
Mr. Abdullah talked about the Delhi blast and said that the whole population in Kashmir was being viewed with suspicion, thanks to the actions of a handful of individuals.
He said, “Such a situation has been created that no father would like to send his kid outside. Everyone looks at Kashmiris with suspicion because of the involvement of a few. Unfortunately, an impression is being created, given that everyone from Kashmir is responsible for the (Red Fort) incident. It will make it hard for Kashmiris to come out and earn their livelihood outside.”
Challenges Faced by Kashmiris Outside J&K
He further declared that even driving a car with a J&K registration in Delhi is viewed as a crime.
"Today, even driving a J-K registration vehicle in Delhi is being seen as a crime. When I do not have many security personnel with me, I myself think whether I should take out my car or not, as I do not know if anyone will stop me and ask me where I was from and why I had come there," he said.
Arrests Linked to Kashmir
His statements followed the arrest of Dr Umar Nabi, a 28-year old teacher, who is originally from Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir, has been named as the suspected attacker in the Delhi blast. The other two persons, Dr Muzzamil Shakeel and Dr Shaheen Shahid, who were caught with weapons and explosives, also have ties to Jammu and Kashmir.
