Srinagar: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday accused the Centre of not being serious about restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, saying the Union Territory system was obstructing public interests.
His comments came after the legislative assembly passed a resolution urging the Centre to immediately restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Abdullah also said the special status enjoyed by Jammu and Kashmir before August 5, 2019, remained “extremely close” to the hearts of its people and could never be erased from their minds.
Addressing a gathering here, Abdullah said the struggle for restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood had become imperative as the Centre was not demonstrating the sincerity and seriousness required to restore it.
He asserted that the NC’s demand for restoration of statehood in no way meant the party had abandoned its struggle for the constitutional and democratic rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“The elected government is committed to regularising daily-wagers, streamlining reservation, creating employment opportunities and ensuring accelerated development. However, the Union Territory system is creating numerous obstacles in achieving these objectives,” he said.
The three-time chief minister said efforts to address the problems and grievances of common people, employees, traders, unemployed youth, artisans, farmers, orchardists and other sections of society were also facing “hurdles” at various levels.
The NC chief said that many Kashmiri youth had been languishing in jails for years.
“Several others, arrested during protests following the martyrdom of Ayatollah Khamenei, continued to remain behind bars, adversely affecting their educational and professional careers,” he said.
Abdullah said young people were also facing difficulties in obtaining verification for passports, employment and other purposes, forcing them to make repeated visits to various offices.
He said that the resolution of these issues was intrinsically linked to the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
