Not favour politics over deaths: Omar

Srinagar: Stating that he was deeply hurt by the killings of 109 persons in the present unrest, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Thursday said he was against politics over dead. “Playing politics on dead bodies is not my trait”, he said. “I am not ready to change the condolence resolution into a political resolution but me and my God know that I am saddened more than anybody else here about the loss of precious lives,” he said. Omar said that he was ready to speak at full length on the subject when the appropriate time was allotted in the Assembly. “The loss of precious 109 lives has given severe shock and sorrow, not only to my body but to my entire soul,” he said “I feel as if 109 parts of my heart have been amputated after opening my chest. God alone knows how much I am grieved and how much I am bereaved”, he said and extended heartfelt and sincere condolences to the families who have lost their dears ones in last three months law and order situation in the Valley. He also expressed hope that the “sacrifices” rendered by the youth, the state would have some solace. “These people were snatched from us before time but if there is some solace to the state, I feel their sacrifices did not go waste.” The Chief Minister said there was a tradition of the chief minister responding to the points raised and the allegations levelled by the opposition parties but insisted that he not be a part of the tradition. “Media mai do char din pitonga koi baat nahi, teen mahinay se pit-ta aa raha hoon do char din aur sahi (I will be whipped in the media for a couple of days, but it is okay as they have been thrashing me for the last three months),” the Chief minister said. As per Press Bureau of India correspondent, chief Minister also prayed for the peace to the departed souls in the worst ever cloud burst in Leh. He said large number of human lives was consumed in the natural calamity. “Experts told me that this catastrophe is the result of climatic change and its re-occurrence cannot be ruled out”, he said calling for collective approach to restricting human interference with the nature. Remembering President of India Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, the Chief Minister said that Shekhawat rose to this post from the lower level through his capacity, capability and political ability. The Chief Minister also paid rich tributes to late Sheikh Ghulam Mohammad Bhaderwahi and said that the late leader was equally popular in both the divisions of Jammu and Kashmir which rarely politicians enjoy. He also paid homage to late Kumari Shanta Bharti and highlighted her role in organizing and strengthening women cooperative movement in Jammu division. “She worked with Madr-e-Meherban to up hold the cause of women and work for their betterment”, he added. Omar Abdullah in his tributes to late Shahjahan Dar and late Bhagat Ghouri Shankar said that both these legislators represented the people of their respective constituencies in the State Assembly and other forums and worked hard for upliftment of general people.