Aakash Hassan
SRINAGAR
J&K unit of All Indian Congress (AIC) on Monday asked government to start a “sustainable and meaningful” dialogue with all stake holders including Hurriyat Conference for ensuring peace in the state.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar after a delegation of Pradesh Congress Committee called upon Governor regarding prevailing situation in Kashmir, G A Mir said, “fifteen weeks have passed and Kashmir is yet to turn towards normalcy.”
“We (Congress) – being the opposition (in J&K Legislature) – cooperated with the PDP-BJP government to help them in maintaining law and order,” he said.
Referring to previous ‘unrest’ in 2010, he said, “we did not act like them (PDP) when they were in sitting in opposition seats and adding fuel to the fire.”
In 2010, NC-Congress coalition government was ruling J&K and incumbent ruling partners, PDP and BJP was in Opposition in J&K Legislature then.
The former lawmaker/minister and current state Congress chief said, “(but) the condition has not improved and we were compelled to call on Governor for the welfare of the people of our state as the Government is proving incompetent.”
Referring to election campaigns of ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mir said, “the ruling PDP had promised people of green gardens but people have only been through destruction since they came to power.” He said that the policy of the PDP led government as that of “betrayal”.
He termed the PDP’s earlier made promises as “hoax” saying, “why AFSPA has not been lifted.”
Detailing Congress’ early morning meeting with Governor N N Vohra at Raj Bhawan here, he said, “there are only deaths and destructions prevalent (in Kashmir).”
“We asked to appoint a retired Judge of Supreme Court of India to enquire the wrong doings of PDP-BJP government and let all confusions be cleared,” he informed.
“The only solution for the return of peace in valley is the meaningful peace dialogue,” he said.
Mir said that the delegation conveyed to Governor regarding arrest spree and slapping of draconian Public Safety Act (PSA) under which even minors are being booked.
“This is mere political victimisation,” Mir said, “there should have been an enquiry before such bookings.”
Deliberating on the issue of “damage to economy”, he said, “government treasury is being misused and nothing is happening (on ground).”
“Tourism, transport, horticulture, Industries and education are facing huge losses and their needs be addressed,” he demanded.
Mir also said that the Congress delegation raised the issue of media gag in Kashmir.
“From banning newspaper to stopping news channels and snapping internet, the gag on media shows the incompetence of Government in handling the situation,” he added.
Condemning the sacking of J&K Government employees, he said, “it is a matter of concern that how without any prior inquiry the employees were sacked. There should be proper inquiry and till that the employees must be reinstated.”
Mir said that the condition prevailing is alarming and people in general are suffering badly. “Free ration of 50 kg should be provided to every house hold for free for coming six months.”
He urged government to regularise the casual labours and SPOs.
Terming the new recruitment announcements as “mere eyewash”, he said, “how will a candidate apply for the post when internet is blocked and how will they reach the office.”
On the issue of school examination in Kashir Valley, he said, “they are mandatory.”
“We understand how important it is to hold exam but the atmosphere need to be created first otherwise students will not put their life in risk,” he asserted.
