Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday urged the people of Ladakh to stay peaceful and defended the Congress, saying the BJP has a habit of blaming others for its own failures, and the Leh violence was no exception.
Four people lost their lives and over 80 others hurt in widespread clashes during a shutdown in Ladakh on Wednesday. Hundreds of protesters supporting the movement for statehood for Ladakh and the extension of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution turned violent, setting the BJP office and several vehicles in Leh on fire.
Speaking to mediapersons during his visit to the flood-affected villages in Reasi district, Abdullah said the Lieutenant Governor-led Ladakh administration should examine why it failed to take necessary measures to maintain peace.
Asked about the BJP blaming the Congress for Wednesday’s violence, Abdullah said, “The government in Ladakh is theirs (BJP's). When they fail, they blame someone else. Had the Congress been so powerful that it could cause riots in Ladakh, why didn't the party form the council (in October 2020)? Who won the last council elections in Ladakh? The BJP, while the Congress lost badly. When things go wrong, the BJP people always come up with excuses.”
He added that blaming others is a BJP habit. Responding to a related question, Abdullah said the violence in Leh was the result of the administration’s failure.
“When such things happen, it is the administration which is the first to fail. The administration should see why it failed. Blaming someone else will not not help,” Omar said.
The chief minister also said the situation in Ladakh was bad and it was very unfortunate that four lives were lost and many others injured.
" I would appeal to people to not take the law in their hands, and follow the path of peace. The government of India should pay attention to their legitimate demands," he said.
He added that he wanted to see a peaceful atmosphere in the region, along with brotherhood between Kargil and Leh.
"They asked for a Union Territory and got it. Let them progress as much as they can under the UT,” Abdullah said.
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