Dr. Farooq Abdullah calls Sidhra demolitions attack on people

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, MAY 23 (STC): Even as agreeing with the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) criticism of alleged “bulldozer politics” in Jammu and Kashmir, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah has simultaneously blamed the PDP for facilitating the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) entry into the region and the subsequent political developments surrounding Article 370 and Article 35A.
Dr. Farooq was speaking to reporters at Hazratbal after Friday prayers. Referring to the Sidhra demolitions, Dr Farooq described the action as an attack on people.
“What happened in Sidhra was an attack on people, the very people who helped them on borders,” he said, apparently referring to affected families and border populations.
He launched a sharp attack on the PDP while commenting on the demolition of structures in parts of Jammu, including the recent controversy surrounding Sidhra.
Dr. Abdullah said he agreed with PDP leaders that the “bulldozer model” associated with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was being witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir.
However, he accused the PDP of political hypocrisy and held the party responsible for what he described as the present political situation.
“I agree with PDP that Yogi Adityanath’s bulldozer is being used in Jammu and Kashmir, but it was PDP that brought BJP here. They are responsible for all the mess and now they are raising hue and cry. Shame on them,” Abdullah told reporters.
The remarks come amid mounting political criticism over demolition drives in Jammu, particularly after reports of residential structures being razed in Sidhra triggered backlash from opposition leaders and civil society voices.
The National Conference president also claimed that demolition and vandalism of houses was being reported from several areas of Jammu.
“At many places in Jammu, houses are being vandalized and demolished,” Abdullah said.
At the same time, Abdullah sought to distance the National Conference-led government from direct responsibility for the demolition actions.
He said investigations were underway and maintained that the government had no role in the process.
“Investigation is going on and let us see who is doing it. We have no hands in it,” he said.

(Straight Talk Communications)