CM Omar chairs off-site meeting to discuss J&K statehood

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday ‘temporarily’ took a back seat in one of the air-conditioned Arbani tempos before embarking on a ‘jungle safari’ inside Dachigam National Park, where he chaired a day-long meeting with the party MLAs and MPs at Draphama Hut.

The meeting was convened by Omar Abdullah to review the functioning of his Government and to brainstorm on the future course of action needed to get the ‘statehood’ status restored.

Till late evening, no official statement was released by the office of the Chief Minister related to the meeting.

As per the political grapevine, the Chief Minister hosted party legislators, and MP’s away from the media glare to take their feedback and discuss the future road map. It is learnt that the host laid a sumptuous table to tease the taste buds of the invitees with the choicest ‘Wazwaan’ delicacies and puddings. Earlier, in a cheerful atmosphere, as the senior party leaders arrived at the Chief Minister’s residence at Gupkar, they were directed to board the tempo travellers and from there they were escorted to the Dachigam National Park.

Sudden shifting of legislators from the Gupkar triggered fresh speculation, prompting the Chief Minister to clarify that the meeting was not shifted at the last moment, but it was a pre-planned move.

As per the original invitation, the Chief Minister had convened a meeting at his residence to discuss the “matters of collective importance and public welfare”.

As the party MLAs reached the venue, they were directed to board the Arbani tempos to take the 22 km-long joy ride to the Dachigam National Park.

As the power corridors were abuzz, the Chief Minister himself posted images along with a post on X, “We are off for an off-site to spend the day taking stock of the last 19 months – the good, the not so good & everything in between”.

In another post, the CM said the meeting was not shifted at the last moment, but it was a pre-planned move. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but it has NOT ‘been shifted at the last moment’. It was always my intention to conduct this meeting off-site, and all arrangements have been made, days in advance, at the location originally chosen by me,” he said. 

At the Dachigam National Park, as the VVIPs checked in, several tourists were prevented from moving inside the park. Several social media pages and a few news outlets broadcast the interviews of stranded tourists venting their ire. Later, the Government spokesman clarified that entry to Dachigam National Park remains fully open for visitors and no restrictions have been imposed on public access today. In an official statement, the Government spokesperson said the clarification was being issued in response to certain claims circulating regarding alleged restrictions on entry to Dachigam National Park on June 3, 2026.

“It is clarified that entry for all visitors to Dachigam National Park remains completely open as per the usual procedure. No restrictions have been imposed by the Government regarding entry to the park for today, June 3,” the spokesperson said.

The statement further advised the public not to pay attention to unverified reports and to follow the standard protocols applicable for visits to the National Park.

“The public is advised to follow standard procedures for their visit and not to pay heed to unverified news,” the spokesperson added.