'No More VIP Treatment': Omar Abdullah's 1st Action as J&K CM Wins Internet

Srinagar: Soon after Omar Abdullah took oath as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, he asked the Director General of Police of the Union Territory not to create a 'green corridor' or traffic stoppage for his convoy.

The newly sworn-in Chief Minister announced that he has directed the Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police to reduce public inconvenience and limit the use of sirens. He also encouraged his cabinet colleagues to adhere to these guidelines.

Omar Abdullah said in a post on X (Twitter), "I have spoken to the J&K DGP that there is to be no “green corridor” or traffic stoppage when I move anywhere by road. I have instructed him to minimise public inconvenience & the use of sirens is to be minimal. The use of any stick waving or aggressive gestures is to be totally avoided. I’m asking my cabinet colleagues to follow the same example".

Many people have expressed their appreciation for the National Conference leader's this move. A Twitter user named Syyeda commented, “Well done. God knows Kashmiris have had enough of inconvenience, sirens blaring, stick-wielding, and aggressive gestures.”

Another user, Tahir Peerzada, commented, "Highly appreciated! 👏🏻 However, many government and private vehicles belonging to politicians, as well as some individuals, are illegally using sirens (hooters), which needs to be addressed immediately. Additionally, please tackle the traffic issues on NH-44, particularly between the Srinagar bypass and Anantnag, where congestion frequently halts daily commuters."

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah took oath as the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, heading the first elected government in the Union territory since 2019 when Article 370 was abrogated and one the Congress is staying away from for now.

As Jammu and Kashmir turned another page in its troubled history, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha administered the oath of office and secrecy to Abdullah and five ministers, including Surinder Choudhary from Jammu who is deputy chief minister.

Abdullah, who takes over as chief minister for a second term, is the third generation of the influential Abdullah family to occupy the office -- after his grandfather Sheikh Abdullah and father Farooq Abdullah.

His first term as chief minister was from 2009 to 2014 when Jammu and Kashmir were a full-fledged state.

Together, the NC and the Congress have a strength of 48, a majority in the 95-member assembly, five members are to be nominated by the LG. 

Congratulating Omar Abdullah, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished him the best and said, "The Centre will work closely with him and his team for J&K's progress." 

The five ministers sworn in were Choudhary, Sakina Masood (Itoo), Javed Dar, Javed Rana, and Satish Sharma, three from Jammu and two from the Kashmir Valley, a clear effort to assuage some of the apprehensions of people in Jammu.