Not wrong to give telecom powers to L-G as he is in charge of security: Jammu and Kashmir CM

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday, May 11, 2026, said there is nothing wrong in granting telecommunication powers to the lieutenant governor, who is responsible for security, law and order, during public security incidents.

“This is the right thing. These powers should belong to the deputy governor. This is not against the business rules or the restructuring law,” Mr. Abdullah told reporters.

He said orders to suspend phone services or internet were issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which reports to the Lieutenant Governor (LG).

“If mobile phone or internet services need to be stopped, the order will be given by the ministry of interior, which is the responsibility of the LG. If they have to lean on our shoulders to pull the gun, it will not be good for us, because we have no role in it,” Abdullah said.

Asked whether he would raise the statehood issue in his upcoming meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Prime Minister said he would discuss all issues related to Jammu and Kashmir.

“I wish we could have gotten our statehood after a meeting with the home minister. If that had been the case, we would have gotten it long ago. But yes, I will raise statehood, labor rules and other issues related to Jammu and Kashmir in the meeting,” he said.

The Prime Minister also sought to clarify his controversial remarks regarding the demand to ban alcohol in Jammu and Kashmir.

“These shops selling alcohol are for those who can consume these things due to their religious beliefs. Our religious beliefs do not allow this. The problem is that the opposition is trying to create confusion by distorting my statements,” he said.

Speaking to reporters in Ganderbal on Sunday, May 10, 2026, Mr Abdullah had said that those who consumed alcohol did so of their own free will and no one dragged them to the shops.

Mr Abdullah said the Opposition should tell the public what it had done on the issue while in power.

“What I said in Ganderbal on Sunday was the same as what the (PDP) finance ministers said in Parliament. We have not opened any new liquor shops and we are ensuring that these shops are not in places where our youth can go astray,” he added.

Regarding the expansion of the cabinet, the Prime Minister said that it will happen at an appropriate time.

“This issue is being raised by the opposition. I don’t know why they are worried. The functioning of the government continues smoothly. The next election will be held in three and a half years. When expansion or changes will be made, I will discuss it with the party leadership and do it at an appropriate time,” he added.