KATHUA, Dec 11: Farooq Abdullah, the president of the National Conference, stated that it is the duty of the Jammu and Kashmir Government to ensure that Rohingya refugees in the area have access to basic necessities such as water and electricity.
“The Government of India brought these refugees here; we didn’t bring them. They have settled here, and while they are here, it is our responsibility to provide them with water and electricity,”
Abdullah said during his visit to Kathua. His comments followed the BJP’s accusations that the presence of Rohingyas and Bangladeshis in Jammu city was part of a major “political conspiracy” and their call for a CBI investigation to uncover those responsible for facilitating their settlement.
According to official data, over 13,700 foreigners, predominantly Rohingyas and Bangladeshis, currently reside in Jammu and other districts in Jammu and Kashmir, with their numbers increasing by more than 6,000 between 2008 and 2016.
In March 2021, police discovered over 270 Rohingyas, including women and children, living illegally in Jammu city during a verification process and relocated them to a holding center in the Kathua sub-jail. Abdullah also strongly advocated for the restoration of Statehood in Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that there should only be one power center in the region.
“The double-engine government will not function here. Statehood will be restored,” he declared. When questioned about violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, Abdullah criticized the central government, suggesting that “the Government of India should take this matter seriously. It is an RSS-led Government, and we need to address this issue.”
Regarding the restoration of Statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, he emphasized, “Statehood will indeed be restored. It is a commitment from the Government of India and has been promised before the Supreme Court.
Just as they fulfilled their election pledges, they will also honor the Supreme Court commitment, and Statehood will return.” Abdullah addressed the region’s power shortages, linking them to insufficient rainfall and snowfall. “We are working to reduce power cuts.
The electricity supply issue stems from the lack of rain and snow. Efforts are being made to enhance power availability,” he noted.
In response to comments from PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti concerning Hindutava, Abdullah said he saw no need to address her remarks. The former Chief Minister also raised concerns about the trustworthiness of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), stating, “Concerns about EVMs are not new; they have been raised since these machines were first introduced.
The government must ensure that the public has confidence in these machines.” Highlighting unemployment as a significant issue in Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah remarked, “Many educated young people remain jobless.
Numerous vacancies exist, yet they remain unfilled. The government needs to prioritize these issues so our youth can secure employment.”
He further criticized the state of healthcare and educational facilities in the region, describing them as “poor” and in dire need of urgent improvement. Abdullah also warned about environmental degradation, stating, “If we do not protect our forests, how can we expect rainfall and snowfall?
Many areas are experiencing crop failures due to lack of water. Preserving the environment and forests is not solely the government’s responsibility; it is also the duty of the people. We must work together to safeguard nature.”
