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J&K Governor Says He Has no Knowledge of Change in Constitutional Norms

PTI |
Want statement from Centre on J&K in Parliament on Monday: Omar Abdullah.
Satyapal Malik

Image Courtesy: The Indian Express

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Saturday conveyed to a National Conference delegation that the state has no knowledge of any changes in the constitutional provisions and assured that the deployment of additional paramilitary forces was purely for security reasons.

 A statement released by the Raj Bhavan here said that the governor informed the delegation, led by former chief minister Omar Abdullah, that the security situation has developed in a manner which required immediate action. 

"There were credible inputs which were available to the security agencies regarding terrorist attacks on the Amarnath Yatra. There has been intensified shelling on the LoC by Pakistan which was responded to effectively by the Army," the governor told the delegation.

He said that a press conference was addressed by the Army and the state police in which they briefed the media about how they foiled terror groups' sinister plans and also displayed weapons and ammunition they seized.

"The seriousness of the threat required immediate action," the governor said.

Malik also said that the state "has no knowledge of any changes to constitutional provisions" and hence no panic should be created by unnecessarily linking this security matters with all kinds of other issues.

"A pure security measure is being mixed up with issues with which it has no connection. That is the cause of the panic," he told the delegation.

 It is in this security context that the government had issued an advisory Friday asking Yatris and tourists to return as soon as possible, he said.

"These are a vulnerable group of people who do not know the area and are extremely vulnerable to a terrorist or a fidayeen attack. It is the responsibility of the state to provide security to all its citizens. Therefore, as a precautionary measure, Yatris and tourists have been asked to return. This is to ensure that no terrorist attack takes place on them," the governor said.

The delegation led by Abdullah apprised the Governor about the situation in the Kashmir valley after the government advisory asking Amarnath Yatris and tourists to return as soon as possible.

On Saturday, the 43-day-long 'Machail Mata Yatra' in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir was also suspended due to security reasons, according to officials.

Want Statement in Parliament: Omar   

Meanwhile, former J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah  said he wanted an assurance on these issues from the Centre in Parliament on Monday.

He said he had asked his party MPs to move a motion in Parliament on Monday seeking a statement from the Union government on the situation that has developed in J&K over the past few weeks.

"We want the government make a statement on situation in the state in the Parliament," he said.

Abdullah appealed to the people of the state to keep calm and control their emotions and not take any step that may align with the aim of the people with vested interests.  

NIT Srinagar Notice

National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar has suspended its classes till further orders in view of the uncertain situation in Kashmir.

  "This is for the information of all the students of the institute that the class work for all courses stands suspended till further orders," an order issued by the Registrar of NIT on Friday read.

"The above notice stands issued in accordance with the instructions received from the District Administration Srinagar," it added.

However, district magistrate Srinagar Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said no instructions were given to shut the institute.

"In wake of unstoppable rumours, heads of all institutions were advised in the day to remain careful. No advise/instructions for shutting down any institution. This NIT notice is apparently a miscommunication," Choudhary said on Twitter.

"We notify when we issue closure order. Our 900+ schools/KVs are open today. Objected to NIT claim of Dist Adm directions to close instt. Citing SM triggered panic among parents they sought transportation help for limited numbers. We assured full security in campus too. That's all (sic)," he added.

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