‘Hand over hydel power projects to J&K’
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Apr 29: Former Chief Minister and People’s Democratic Party president, Mehbooba Mufti today alleged that the BJP led Union Government has failed to control militancy in Jammu and Kashmir and it must introspect why it is failing to stop attacks like Sunjuwan or killings of Sarpanches and political activists in Kashmir.
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Talking to media-persons after an Eid Milan function in Jammu today, Mehbooba said that BJP Government despite tall claims of restoring normalcy and peace, has failed to control militancy in Jammu and Kashmir. She said the militants attacked Sunjuwan the other day and also indulged in killings of Sarpanches in Kashmir. The bloodshed is continuing across J&K.
“When they have given free hand to the security forces now and many additional battalions of security forces have been deployed to deal with just 150-200 odd militants, then why this Government has failed to control militancy. Here seems to be some shortcomings within ourselves. The Government must introspect why it is happening,” Mehbooba remarked.
Responding to a question, the PDP leader said, “Dialogue is the only viable option. Modi Government must follow the policy of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. Gun is no solution to any issue. Moreover, New Delhi must hold talks with Pakistan and all other stakeholders to restore normalcy and peace in the region,” the PDP leader opined.
Referring to the massive power crisis in Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba said Kashmir and Jammu regions are facing worst power crisis. ” If our hydel power projects, had been handed over to us, we would not have been facing such type of power crisis. The Government of India must hand over our power projects to J&K or provide adequate share of power generated from our rivers,” the PDP leader asserted.
While criticizing BJP Government for increasing unemployment in J&K, Mehbooba said after abrogation of Article 370, the jobs have been opened to the outsiders. She said BJP Government despite its promise has failed to protect jobs and lands of the locals. The unemployment has increased to alarming situation and youth are frustrated. Even the resources of the J&K are being given the control to the outsiders. Our contractors are unable to get even the petty contracts. Their bread and butter is also being snatched, she observed.
The former CM cautioned that the country will have to face a ‘bad situation’ in future if it followed the footprints of a neighbouring country to misuse religion. She targeted the BJP for allegedly trying to destroy secularism.
Mehbooba lambasted the BJP Government at the Centre over inflation and unemployment in the country.
“Our neighbouring country (Pakistan) was destroyed by misusing religion at that time (Independence). Now, they are bearing its brunt. They armed people with guns in the name of religion. The same is happening in our country, in the name of religion today,” Mehbooba said.
She said bulldozers are being used and people are being armed with swords in the name of religion.
“You cannot provide jobs or tackle price rise or give better amenities including water and power. So the easy thing is to pit Hindus against Muslims — talk about loudspeakers, Hijab and Halal. This type of politics is going on in this country,” Mehbooba said.
The PDP leader said she feels sorry for what is going on in the country. “If we follow the same way (of Pakistan), the situation will be bad in this country in future. The country has 20 to 25 crore Muslims along with Christians and other minorities and you cannot eliminate them. They will have to live in this country only,” she added.
Targeting the BJP over the loudspeaker issue, she said it must remind that this country is based on a secular foundation and “secularism is in our DNA”.
“BJP is trying to tear apart the secular fabric. It is part of their agenda to close down loudspeakers at mosques,” she said replying to a question about an order over the use of loudspeakers at religious places by the Uttar Pradesh Government.
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