Srinagar: National Conference leader Omar Abdullah has promised to repeal PSA (Public Safety Act) if voted to power in south Kashmir’s Dooru stating that the upcoming elections in Jammu and Kashmir will not be fought for roads, electricity, and water, but for the identity of the people.
Speaking at a rally Mr. Abdullah said the day NC came to power, it will repeal the draconian Act. “There is no Public Safety Act across the country, but it has been implemented in J&K to harass people. Our party will ensure that the locals get land and jobs and we will keep contracts for our people,” he said.
“The mountains and rivers belong to us, but laborers and contractors have been hired from outside. Even the postman who delivers our letters is an outsider. Take our contractors from here for sand extraction in Punjab, which you will not do, instead, outsiders are brought here, and then you ask why people are annoyed here,” he added.
However, Peoples’ Conference chief Sajjad Lone hit back at Omar saying that the law was introduced by NC and questioned the legality of a UT to scrap such a law as J&K’s special status (autonomy) was scrapped by BJP-led Modi Govt on 5 August 2019 and the state was bifurcated into two union territories
“Need a clarification in good faith. Given that J&K as of date is a UT. Does UT Assembly have the power to amend or create laws about public order? Or say the PSA. So why lie? What an irony. Those who scripted this draconian law, want us to believe they will repeal it,” Sajjad Lone tweeted.
“Even more ironic that the UT assembly just doesn’t have the powers for any such repeal. Lying through their teeth has been one consistent trait of those who scripted such laws,” his tweet reads.
The PSA was enacted by the government headed by NC founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in 1978 to curb timber smuggling in Jammu and Kashmir. The law, which provides for detention of up to two years without trial, was later used against militants, OGWs, and separatists after the eruption of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir in 1990. Today, many rights groups report its abuse in the region.