Srinagar, July 23 -- Accusing Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of instilling a sense of defeat among people of Jammu and Kashmir, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday said that Abdullah's "ruling out" the reinstatement of Article 370 was like pouring acid on the hopes of the people of the erstwhile State.

"You are telling people that (Article) 370 will not return. You are throwing acid on the hopes of the people of J&K, which should not be done. You want to instill a sense of defeat among people, which I don't think any leader should do. It is not right," Mehbooba Mufti told reporters when asked about the issue.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Abdullah said, "Some people tell us to talk about (restoration of) Article 370 and J&K'...