Jammu

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said his government remains firmly focused on development despite political criticism and administrative challenges, with priority areas including employment generation for youth, economic growth and the revival of tourism.

Strongly reacting to statements advocating statehood exclusively for Jammu, Abdullah described such views as “deeply unfortunate” and said portraying Kashmiris as untrustworthy or anti-national was unfair and damaging.

He said such remarks disregard the sacrifices made by the people of the Valley, including police personnel, in the fight against terrorism.

The chief minister also rejected allegations that his National Conference-led government was discriminating against Jammu, asserting that development efforts were being carried out evenly across all regions.

“Our focus has not shifted from our goal — the development of Jammu and Kashmir. We will continue moving forward on the path of progress. Employment opportunities for the youth will be expanded and tourism will be revived. We will continue doing our work quietly,” Abdullah said.

Replying to the motion of thanks to the lieutenant governor’s address in the Assembly, he said the past year had been particularly difficult due to the Pahalgam terror attack in April, Operation Sindoor in May, widespread flooding in several areas and the Delhi blast.

“Despite these challenges, we will not retreat from our objective,” he said.

Referring to his party’s election manifesto, Abdullah said the government had already begun implementing its commitments through its first budget, which addressed social welfare, ration distribution, education, healthcare, and resolutions related to special status and statehood.

“Is there any issue mentioned in our manifesto that we have not spoken about or on which work has not begun?” he asked.

Dismissing claims that Kashmiris could not be trusted, Abdullah said the people of the Valley had never opposed peace. He recalled the strong condemnation by locals after last year’s Pahalgam attack and cited the incident in which a Kashmiri youth lost his life while trying to save tourists.

Cautioning against demands to separate Jammu from Kashmir, he pointed to developments in Ladakh after it was granted Union Territory status.

Referring to the detention of activist Sonam Wangchuk, Abdullah said, “This is what has happened in Ladakh,” and warned against repeating a similar situation in Jammu.

On flood relief, he said the process had not been delayed, explaining that the main sanction was received only 15 to 20 days ago and that detailed project reports were currently being prepared.

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He assured the House that compensation would be distributed strictly on the basis of damage assessment, without political bias, as was done during the floods of 2014.