Srinagar: Scenes of uproar were witnessed in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly over the issue of a proposed Sainik Colony in the state.
Rejecting reports of any proposal to build any such colony, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti blamed the opposition of raising a "non-issue" which can lead to disruption of peace in the state.
"Since 2011, there were so many times when there were talks of identifying plots for Sainik colony. I have said that there is no land but still there were pictures released by media," she said.
She also lashed out at National Conference leader Omar Abdullah for his tweets over the issue.
Omar hit back saying he won't back down from speaking on issues of public interest through the social media. "My small tweets prick you. Your mood gets spoiled. If I make you accountable by tweeting, I will continue it. I won't stop and I won't apologise for it," Omar said.
The issue of proposed colony for armed forces personnel was raised by Independent MLA Sheikh Abdul Rasheed. Waving a copy of the newspaper which had carried a report on construction of a Sainik Colony outside Old Airfield, the legislator stormed into the well of the House and sought a statement from the government on the issue.
An agitated Mehbooba said there was no truth in the story as the photograph published in the newspaper was that of Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) quarters being constructed for married serving personnel of the unit.
"I do not know what these newspapers want? Do they want to put the state on fire? They should have investigated before publishing the story. The opposition members bring in these newspapers which I will not name as they want to get publicity. If anyone tries to disrupt peace, they will be dealt with sternly," Mehbooba said.
Targeting Omar, she said despite having been in the chair earlier, he has been tweeting about the issue. "Omar Abdullah attended four meetings (of the Sainik Board as CM) and in all four meetings, he directed that land be identified for setting up of the Sainik Colony. Now, there is tweet, tweet, tweet," she said about the former chief minister frequently using the social media to put forth his opinions.
The opposition benches protested against the Chief Minister's outburst saying everything was not media created.
Responding to Mehbooba's charge, Omar said he has never denied being part of the meetings for setting up of Sainik Colony but had never "passed any order" like the one he had posted on twitter.
The "order" which Omar posted was claimed to be a communication issued under the PDP-BJP government and read that the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir had agreed for allotmet of 173 kanals of land on payment in the old airfield area for the Sainik Colony.
It said that after obtaining commitment from the beneficiaries, the number of aspirants "increased to 1,051, 26 officers, 125 JCOs and 900 of other ranks, requiring a total of 360 kanals of land. Accordingly, a revised proposal has been forwarded to the divisional commisioner of Kashmir and the state home department".
Omar said, "If there is any such order issued during my tenure, please bring it forth. If you are here for welfare of the people, I am also here so that people are benefited."
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