Meeting on 'Sainik Colony' started under Omar Abdullah: Mehbooba Mufti

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today said the first meeting for establishing a 'Sainik Colony' in the state was held when National Conference working president Omar Abdullah was in power and claimed he had given direction for identifying land for the purpose.

"This (the discussion on Sainik Colony) was started when first such meeting took place when Omar was in power. The demand was that a colony be established for the state subject ex-servicemen. He gave a direction that time for identifying the land. Since then, there has been no decision on this," she said here.

She was addressing a gathering after inaugurating a bookshop-cum-coffee shop at Nehru Park in the middle of the famous Dal Lake here.

She said the last meeting on the issue was held by Governor N N Vohra but no decision for the allotment of the land has been taken so far.

"The last meeting happened under Governor. I did not attend the meeting as I was not feeling well that day. He decided that since the land is not available in Srinagar, Army should be asked to identify land. But no decision about allotment was taken. This is the reality," she said.

Mehbooba appealed to the people not to pay heed to "rumours" and call her directly if they have any doubts.

"I appeal you not to pay heed to rumours, be on Facebook or in newspapers, do not pay any heed to them. If you have any doubts, call me directly and ask if that is right or wrong. I never tell a lie, neither did my father nor anyone in my party if he loves the PDP," she said.

She also said "misunderstandings" are being spread on the issue of NEET.

"The NEET judgment came and it has been decided that examination (under NEET) will take place but only state subjects will be allowed. The students from other states cannot come in our state's quota. But misunderstandings are being spread," she said.