Srinagar, July 23: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday called for a people-centric approach to tackling terrorism, saying security measures alone cannot bring lasting peace and warning that demolishing houses and carrying out mass arrests could prove counterproductive. He also urged the Centre to engage with protesting youth, saying their concerns could no longer be ignored.

Addressing reporters after attending a startup event in Srinagar, Abdullah said defeating terrorism required winning the confidence and support of ordinary people.

“I understand the police’s anger, but demolishing houses or arresting thousands of people will not improve the situation. Instead, it may worsen it,” he said while responding to questions on the demolition of the houses of two alleged Lashkar-e-Taiba militants in Anantnag following Wednesday’s killing of Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi.

Recalling his previous tenure as chief minister, Abdullah said security forces alone could only contain militancy to a certain extent.

“The real end to terrorism will come only when ordinary people stand with us against it. Police, Army and CRPF can take us only so far. We have to carry our people along in this fight.”

Referring to the public outrage after last year’s Pahalgam terror attack, he said people had openly condemned the attack and supported action against terrorism. However, he cautioned that large-scale detentions could alienate the same public.

“People are angry over the killing of the police head constable. But when reports emerge of 2,000 to 2,500 people being detained, that anger risks getting diverted. We must take our people along if we want lasting success.”

On the Centre’s handling of protests in Delhi, Abdullah said the growing participation of young people showed that their concerns should not be dismissed.

“You cannot ignore so many young people. Initially, people mocked the protests because only a handful had gathered. Today, large parts of New Delhi are affected and tear gas had to be used.”

Welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message acknowledging the importance of youth, Abdullah said the government should now initiate dialogue.

“It is a good thing that the Prime Minister has said young people are important. Their concerns should now be discussed with them.”

He also backed activist Sonam Wangchuk’s demand that no retaliatory action be taken against peaceful protesters.

“There should be no retaliatory action against these children. They were holding peaceful protests. They should be engaged in dialogue and their genuine demands should be addressed.”

Paper leak cases with CBI

Responding to questions on Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda’s remarks about recruitment paper leaks in Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah acknowledged that multiple examination papers had leaked in the past but said the investigation was no longer with his government.

“An inquiry was ordered and the matter is with the CBI. I do not have the details of the investigation. That question should be addressed elsewhere,” he said.

Aiming to double startups

Abdullah said the Startup Policy 2024 was beginning to show results, with around 1,300 to 1,400 startups now operating across Jammu and Kashmir.

“Our effort is to double this number every year by supporting entrepreneurs through seed capital, incubators and mentoring programmes,” he said.

He said startups were emerging across sectors including agriculture, horticulture, renewable energy and technology.

Calls for long-term flood strategy

Reviewing the recent floods, Abdullah said water levels had remained below the worst fears, though localised damage had occurred, particularly in Beerwah, where around 37 shops were washed away.

“The Deputy Commissioner has been directed to take necessary action regarding compensation,” he said.

Observing that cloudbursts and extreme rainfall events had become increasingly frequent, Abdullah called for a comprehensive long-term disaster mitigation plan. “We cannot stop the rain, but we must prepare a comprehensive plan to protect infrastructure and save lives.”

Support for Ganderbal artisans

Responding to demands for a training centre for artisans in Ganderbal, Abdullah said the district had performed well under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative through its cane and wicker craft.

“The Industries and Commerce Department is committed to supporting artisans through marketing assistance, innovation and improved product design. Ganderbal artisans will continue to receive that support,” he said.

Srinagar, Jul 23: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday rejected Union minister J P Nadda’s claim linking his government to the SSB paper leak in Jammu and Kashmir, saying the incident occurred under the LG administration in 2022, long before his government took office in 2024.

Abdullah was responding to remarks made by Nadda during a press conference on Wednesday, where the Union health minister accused the NC and the Congress of remaining silent on paper leak scandals.

“You are absolutely correct about the SSB paper leak in J&K @JPNadda ji but you have got the date wrong. It was 2022,” Abdullah said in a post on X.

“The government wasn’t of NC and Congress. It was a government headed by Lt. Governor but thank you for reminding everyone of this failure. It involved these observations & orders of the J&K High Court,” he said.

The chief minister also attached a portion of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court order, in which directions were given to the Lt governor (LG)-led administration for constituting a high-powered committee headed by a retired high court judge to probe the conduct of the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) for its “brazen irregularities”.

“We have no idea what happened to the High Level Committee or its report. Perhaps you can share that with us in your next press conference,” Abdullah said.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration was forced to cancel recruitment examinations conducted by the JKSSB for several posts, including sub-inspectors, junior engineers, and finance accounts assistants, following widespread allegations of paper leaks and corruption in 2022.

The administration had faced severe backlash for hiring the Mumbai-based Aptech Limited to conduct the computer-based tests, despite the company having a history of being blacklisted by multiple state governments over alleged malpractices.

Srinagar, July 23: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of the Crime Branch has filed a chargesheet against four accused in connection with a multi-crore shawl cheating case involving the alleged fraud of over ₹2.50 crore.

According to an official statement, the chargesheet in FIR No. 55/2022 under Sections 420 (cheating), 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) was filed before the Court of the Sub Judge Small Causes, Srinagar.

The accused have been identified as Arshid Ahmad Shora alias Bilal of Pakhribal Botakadal, Lalbazar; Firdous Ahmad Mir of Abikarpora, Rainawari, presently residing at Madina Colony, Mallabagh; Firdous Ahmad Bhat of Amda Kadal, Lalbazar; and Aftab Ahmad Shah of Khawabazar, Nowhatta.

The case stems from a complaint alleging that the accused, led by Arshid Ahmad Shora alias Bilal, induced the complainant to supply shawls worth more than ₹2.50 crore on the promise of lucrative returns. However, after receiving the consignments, the accused allegedly failed to make the promised payments.

During the course of the investigation, EOW Kashmir recovered 338 shawls valued at around ₹68 lakh, which were handed over to the complainant under the directions of the competent court.

With the completion of the investigation, the Crime Branch has filed the chargesheet before the court for trial.

The Crime Branch Kashmir has urged the public to remain vigilant against economic frauds and report any suspicious activities to the Senior Superintendent of Police, EOW Kashmir. Victims of financial fraud can also lodge complaints through the official email of the EOW Kashmir, the statement said.