Lagatar24 Desk
Srinagar: Hours after being sworn in as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah directed the Union Territory’s police to minimize public inconvenience during VIP movements. In his first order, Abdullah instructed the police to avoid “stick-waving” and “aggressive gestures” during his road travels.
He also emphasized that the Jammu and Kashmir police should refrain from creating a green corridor for his movement, a common practice during the passage of important dignitaries.
“I have spoken to the DG, Jammu and Kashmir police, that there is to be no ‘green corridor’ or traffic stoppage when I move anywhere by road. I have instructed him to minimize public inconvenience, & the use of sirens is to be minimal. The use of any stick-waving or aggressive gestures is to be totally avoided. I’m asking my cabinet colleagues to follow the same example. In everything, our conduct must be people-friendly. We are here to serve the people & not to inconvenience them,” Abdullah said on X (formerly Twitter).
PM Modi’s Congratulatory Message
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his congratulations to Omar Abdullah after his swearing-in. “Congratulations to Omar Abdullah Ji on taking oath as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. Wishing him the very best in his efforts to serve the people. The Centre will work closely with him and his team for J-K’s progress,” the Prime Minister said.
Oath of Office
The oath of office was administered by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar. Along with Abdullah, several of his cabinet members were also sworn in, including National Conference MLA Javed Ahmed Rana, Javid Ahmad Dar, Sakina Itoo, and Surinder Kumar Chowdhary.
Restoring Statehood: A Priority
Before the swearing-in ceremony, Omar Abdullah expressed hope that the Union Territory status of Jammu and Kashmir would be temporary. He stated that cooperation with the Union government would be key to resolving the region’s problems and restoring full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
His party, the National Conference, secured 42 seats in the recent assembly elections, marking Abdullah’s return to power as the first elected Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
