Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has urged the central government to address the issue of Rohingya refugees with compassion and clarity. Describing the matter as a humanitarian issue, he emphasized the need for a clear policy to determine the refugees’ fate.
Abdullah told reporters, “The central government should decide what to do about them. If they can be sent back, they should be sent back. But if we cannot send them back, we cannot let them starve or freeze to death.”
He stressed that the Rohingyas must be treated with dignity while they remain in the region. “We did not bring them here. If the central government’s policy has changed, they can take them wherever they want.
But as long as they are here, we are responsible for caring for them. They are human beings and must not be treated like animals,” he added.
Abdullah’s comments come amid growing debates over the presence of Rohingya refugees in different parts of the country. While some call for their deportation.
The Chief Minister reiterated that it is the central government’s responsibility to chart a course of action but underlined the importance of treating the refugees with compassion until a decision is made.
He also said that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee can claim the leadership of INDIA bloc and said there would be a discusssion.
He said that the question of change in the leadership of the INDIA bloc does not arise since the bloc has not held any meeting after the Lok Sabha elections.
His remarks came in the light of few Trinamool Congress leaders advocating a change in the leadership of the INDIA bloc following the election drubbing of the Congress in the Maharahstra assembly polls.
The TMC leaders had also proposed the name of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to lead the anti-BJP front.
“There has been no meeting of the INDIA Bloc after the Lok Sabha elections, so the question of change of leadership does not arise. Let there be a meeting and let Mamata Banerjee claim the leadership if she wants… There would be discussion on it,’ CM Omar told reporter here.
‘Can’t let Rohingya refugees starve or freeze to death’
