A Twitter spat ignited over the Tulbul navigation project involving Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.
Omar Abdullah said that after the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, it is time to restart the Tulbul project in the Olor Lake. If this project is launched, navigation through the Jhelum River will be possible and power generation will also increase in winter.
Incidentally, this project, which was started in 1987, was stopped in 2007 due to objections from Pakistan. Pakistan claimed that it was a violation of the Indus Treaty. However, India suspended the agreement after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 23, and Omar's comments came in that context.
Mehbooba Mufti called Omar's comments "provocative and irresponsible". He said that when the common people are suffering from violence in Kashmir, such comments can only worsen the situation. He also said that using water as a weapon is inhumane.
In response, Omar accused Mehbooba of trying to appease Pakistan. He said, “The Indus Treaty is a historic betrayal of the interests of Jammu and Kashmir. Using our own water for our own needs is not a crime.”
In response, Mehbooba said that the PDP has always remained steadfast in its position and has not changed its mind like other parties.
This controversy indicates how deep the differences between politicians over the water resources of Jammu and Kashmir are.
