Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, May 18: Stating that the “era of war is over”, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today lauded the Centre for its diplomatic efforts following ‘Operation Sindoor’.
However, she stressed that before launching these efforts-aimed at presenting India’s stance to the world-the Government should have convened a session of Parliament to allow the people’s voices to be heard.
“The diplomatic efforts are a welcome step. This is the reality-because the era of war is over, and what matters now is diplomatic initiative,” she said while speaking to reporters after visiting forward areas of Tangdhar in north Kashmir.
But before that, Mufti said, the Government should have called a Parliament session, “spoken with their own people, the Members of Parliament, and then gone abroad for diplomatic efforts. First, there should have been a discussion in Parliament.”
Regarding the damage suffered by residents due to shelling along the Line of Control (LoC), the former Chief Minister said the impact has been immense. She noted several complaints about the damage assessment process.
“There are several complaints regarding damage assessment. Many houses have been hit by shells-the structures are still standing, but they are damaged. Revenue officials have assessed them incorrectly,” she said.
“People here are now demanding individual bunkers, when they should be asking for good hospitals and other essential facilities. This is a failure of both countries, which chose to go to war. People should be demanding schools and better tourism infrastructure,” she said.
Mufti said there is talk of providing Rs 1.20 lakh to affected families, but argued that the amount is insufficient.
“It won’t suffice-what will they rebuild with this amount? The compensation must be increased,” she demanded.
The PDP president said the people-who have always wanted peace-have lost their homes through no fault of their own.
“People spend their entire lives building homes. Now those homes are damaged-and not due to any fault of theirs. They don’t want war; they want peace. If a war has taken place, what is their fault?”
The former Chief Minister also raised the issue of problems faced by people in claiming insurance-alleging that companies are avoiding payouts.
“I came across this issue in Poonch as well. When people claim damages, banks tell them it’s due to war and deny compensation. If that is the case, the Government should officially declare the area a war zone so that people can receive what they are owed,” she added
Mufti urged the Centre as well as the J&K Government to ensure a comprehensive rehabilitation plan so that those affected get some relief.
“This area has been completely destroyed. For proper rehabilitation, there is a need for a comprehensive package and fulfillment of the demand for individual bunkers,” she said.
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