Rohingyas settled in Jammu should be given humane treatment: CM Omar Abdullah to GoI

Jammu, Dec 09: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated on Monday that the Rohingyas temporarily settled in the Jammu region should be treated humanely.

Speaking to reporters in Jammu, Omar Abdullah emphasized that the Government of India (GoI) must clarify its stance on the Rohingya issue, as they are enduring immense hardships.

"This is a humanitarian issue. The central government needs to decide what to do with this community. If they (GoI) want to deport them, they should do so. If not, they shouldn’t be left to suffer from cold and hunger. The Government of India should make it clear what its plans are for them," said Omar Abdullah.

He further added, "Until they are here in Jammu, they should be taken care of properly. They were brought here and settled. If the Government of India has changed its policy, then they should either take them away or relocate them wherever they choose."

Omar Abdullah stressed that the Rohingyas are humans first and should be treated with dignity. "They shouldn't be treated like animals," he added.

In response to a question about the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah affirmed that statehood is crucial. "We need statehood. The people of J&K have been promised statehood multiple times, both by Parliament and the Supreme Court. We were assured full statehood would be restored. We believe a dual power center is never in the best interest of any government. No such system exists in any other state or region. The people of J&K have elected their government, and it should be allowed to function smoothly," he said.

Regarding India-Bangladesh relations, Omar Abdullah noted that the current relationship is strained. "The relationship between India and Bangladesh is frosty at the moment. However, our Foreign Ministry is engaging with their counterparts. As former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee rightly said, you can change your friends, but you can't change your neighbors. We must strive for good relations with our neighbors, as it is not just beneficial but also a necessity," he concluded.