Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said Pakistan's decision to summon a US diplomat over remarks made by Ambassador Sergio Gor on Jammu and Kashmir was a matter between Islamabad and Washington.
On Wednesday, Gor, the US Ambassador to India, described Jammu and Kashmir as an important part of India after his meeting with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Srinagar. “This is an issue between Pakistan and the United States. Neither you nor I can do anything about it,” Omar Abdullah told reporters.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said a modern abattoir being planned in Srinagar would be completed within the next two years. The project aims to ensure the supply of safe and good-quality meat to consumers.
Speaking about the project, Omar said authorities had received complaints about poor-quality meat being sold in several areas during the past two years.
He said around ₹31 crore would be spent on the project. The proposed facility will include modern testing arrangements to check sheep for diseases and prevent unhealthy meat from reaching consumers.
“Last year and this year too, there were complaints about the quality of meat being sold at several places. This project was first planned in 2011-12, but the work did not move ahead for various reasons. I am glad that the Srinagar Municipal Corporation Commissioner and other officials have revived the project,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the modern facility would include proper testing of sheep and would be halal-certified. While the official timeline is two years, he said officials had assured him that the project could be completed within one and a half years.
Omar also spoke about the Union Territory's first International Film Festival. He said its main purpose was to give local people access to quality cinema and create job opportunities in the film industry. He said the festival would also organise workshops on film editing, direction, cinematography, music and other technical fields.
“Our aim is not simply to bring Bollywood stars here. We want local people to watch films that they may not otherwise get an opportunity to see. Workshops in editing, direction, cinematography and music can help local youth develop skills. Then, when films are shot here, technicians will not always have to be brought from outside, and local people can get employment,” he said.
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