CM Calls for Winning People’s Confidence in Fight Against Militancy, Demolitions, Mass Detentions Will Not Help

Srinagar, July 23, KNT: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday cautioned against mass detentions and the demolition of residential houses following militant attacks, asserting that such measures would not help in tackling the security situation and could instead prove counterproductive.

Speaking to reporters, Abdullah said that success in the fight against militancy depends on securing the confidence and cooperation of the people.

“Without taking people into confidence, we can’t succeed. I can understand the anger of the police, but arresting two thousand people and demolishing houses won’t help you,” he said.

Recalling his tenure as the Chief Minister of the erstwhile state, Abdullah said he had firsthand experience of handling the security situation when the police functioned under his government.

“I ran this erstwhile state for six years when the police worked under my command, and we understood how important it was to win the people to our side,” he said.

Referring to the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, Abdullah said he had intervened and raised the matter with the Central Government after the houses of local militants were demolished.

“Later, it came to light that not a single local was involved in that attack and all those responsible were outsiders,” he said, arguing that actions taken in haste could have serious consequences.

The Chief Minister also referred to the Supreme Court’s position on such measures, saying, “The Supreme Court has ruled that you cannot summarily take such action.”

Omar Abdullah maintained that demolitions and large-scale detentions would make the situation more difficult rather than helping restore normalcy.

His remarks come a day after security forces demolished the houses of two alleged Lashkar-e-Taiba militants in south Kashmir following the killing of a Jammu and Kashmir Police head constable in Anantnag. [KNT]