Srinagar: Tuesday’s ghastly terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam in the Anantnag district has come as a major setback for Jammu and Kashmir’s demand for a full statehood.
Chief minister Omar Abdullah, who is clearly under a lot of pressure after the Pahalgam incident, announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for each of those killed in the attack.
“Deeply shocked and anguished by the despicable terrorist attack in Pahalgam yesterday. This barbaric and senseless act of brutality against innocent civilians has no place in our society. We condemn it in the strongest possible terms. We mourn the precious lives lost,” Abdullah posted on X.
He went on to state that, while no amount of money can ever compensate for the loss of loved ones, but as a mark of support and solidarity, the J-K government announces an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of the deceased. The seriously injured will receive Rs 2 lakh each. Those with minor injuries will receive Rs 1 lakh.
Jammu and Kashmir has a unique status at the moment. Just like Delhi, it is a state with an elected Assembly, but is also a Union Territory (UT), with the Lieutenant Governor enjoying certain powers. After the abrogation of Article 370, the Centre had assured to restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
At a press conference in January this year, Abdullah had admitted that he is not an empowered CM in a UT set up. “Dual centres of power are not to anyone’s advantage. Systems work better when there is a single point of command,” he had said, adding that his first job after taking over was demanding restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
After the Pahalgam episode, the Centre is unlikely to take a hasty decision on the subject. Abdullah, meanwhile, is already under a lot of pressure with protests being launched in Jammu. He can expect more flak in the days to come as joblessness grips the state with the tourism sector taking a hit.
