Srinagar

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced a door-to-door campaign across Jammu and Kashmir to gather public support for restoring the Union Territory’s statehood during next eight weeks.

He stated that, he along with his colleagues, will visit every Legislative Assembly segment and embark on a door-to-door campaign across Jammu and Kashmir to collect public signatures and thumb impressions in support of restoring the Union Territory’s statehood.

Speaking during his Independence Day address in Srinagar, Omar said, “The Supreme Court has given eight weeks, and we will not let them go to waste. We will reach every segment and ensure no household or individual is left without endorsing this cause.” He added that the campaign would also record thumb impressions of those unable to sign during the eight-week period.

The Chief Minister said, “It has been more than six years since the people of Jammu and Kashmir last heard their own representative from this platform. Back then, I was the Chief Minister of a state with its own identity, constitution, flag, and statehood. Today, all of that is gone.”

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Omar noted that although the return of democracy took time, the region now had an elected government. “We hoped for a significant announcement for J&K on August 15. I was even told that papers for statehood were being prepared. But nothing came,” he remarked.