Female foeticide biggest sin against humanity: Omar Abdullah

SRINAGAR: Terming female foeticide as the "biggest sin against humanity", Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said his government has taken several measures but it alone cannot eradicate the menace.

"When I saw the alarming reports of female foeticide in Kashmir, I was highly surprised as I had never dreamt that such a sin will be performed in a society where protection, security and well being of girls and women is a cultural trait," Omar said at a function here.

Addressing a three-day workshop on 'Gender and Child Rights', organised by Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy in collaboration with the state government, Omar pin-pointed the menace of female foeticide and said that he is deeply concerned about this "highest sin against humanity" which would ruin the future of the society.

"Government alone cannot eradicate it by enforcing laws. Public awareness and participation of civil society is imperative in this regard," the chief minister said.

"The civil society in close coordination with the government have to address this menace," he said and referred to the various steps taken by the state government for the growth and well being of women and children.

The chief minister also expressed concern over the deteriorating situation of children rights in the state due to violence, militancy and a host of other factors.

In a state like Jammu and Kashmir, law and order and security situation coupled with incidents of violence badly tell upon the rights of children to enjoy active and joyous childhood, he said.