CM Abdullah in Anantnag: Relief, Restoration and Clarification on Hazratbal Issue
Chief Minister and National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah on Saturday visited several flood-affected areas of Anantnag district to take stock of the situation, interact with residents, and review the administration’s response. He was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, Advisor to CM Nasir Aslam Wani, Cabinet Ministers Javed Rana and Sakina Itoo, along with legislators Altaf Kaloo, Majeed Larmi, Dr. Bashir Veeri, Reyaz Khan, Zafar Khattana, and senior officers of the district administration, including Deputy Commissioner Syed Farkahudin.
The Chief Minister visited Mehdi Kadal, Deva Colony, Ashagipora Bridge, and Ganjiwara, where residents urged the government to expedite completion of the flood shed pump and repair interior roads and drainage works in Eidgah Colony. He assured the people that all necessary steps would be taken to provide relief and assistance to those impacted by the floods.
Later, Abdullah chaired a high-level review meeting where the deputy commissioner presented details of the damages, rescue operations, temporary shelter arrangements, and immediate restoration works. The Chief Minister directed the administration to prioritize restoration while stressing the need for long-term measures such as dredging of rivers, strengthening of embankments, setting up dewatering pumps, and exploring the feasibility of a flood channel.
Abdullah also visited neighbouring Kulgam, where he reviewed the damages and ongoing restoration. Appreciating the timely evacuation carried out by the district administration, he instructed departments including PDD, Jal Shakti, and Irrigation & Flood Control to work in mission mode for early restoration of essential services. He also ordered strict enforcement against illegal mining in the district.
Meanwhile, reacting to the Hazratbal emblem controversy, Abdullah clarified that the state emblem is meant for government functions only and not for religious places. “It was not meant to be displayed at the Dargah Hazratbal. The Waqf Board should have apologized for the mistake they committed by hurting religious sentiments,” he said.
