Despite issues with AFSPA, salute Army: Omar Abdullah

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah may have differences with the Army over its stand on AFSPA, but today said he admired the forces for rescuing thousands of people from flood-ravaged Uttarakhand.

"Regardless of my disagreements with the Army about AFSPA etc, I have to admire and salute the amazing job being done by them (Army), Air Force, ITBP," Omar wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter.

He said everyone must appreciate the massive rescue operations launched by these agencies in Uttarakhand. "The kind of operation they have mounted to rescue people in #Uttarakhand, with no glory grabbing is something we must all salute," he tweeted.

On media reports that the Chief Minister expressed displeasure over graffiti by Army and police on Zabarwan hills, Omar said the newspaper needed to change its sources.

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"I did NOT fear a L&O (Law and order) disturbance from the writings on the mountain nor did I call them 'disgusting'. Change your sources," he said.

The reports in a section of media claimed that Omar had expressed displeasure over the graffiti on the hills and directed the Divisional  commissioner, Kashmir, to take action required under law. The reports also claimed that the official concerned had issued notices to the Army in this regard. An Army spokesman said the graffiti on the Zabarwan hills was removed suo motu and it had not received any notices from the state administration.

PTI