Initiate talks with people of J&K to remove mistrust & script new J&K: Apni Party Sr. Vice President G H Mir

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, JUNE 13 (STC):
Former minister and senior vice president of Apni Party, Ghulam Hassan Mir, in a strong reminder to the union Home Minister, Amit Shah, about his pre-election promises made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, has pitched for reconciliatory measures to remove the element of mistrust existing between people of the region and the Central government. He has stressed for talks with the people of J&K at an earliest to script a new J&K.
While addressing a crowded press conference here, the senior political leader Ghulam Hassan Mir said, “Let me remind the Union Home Minister Amit Shah about his pre-election statement that the government of India will not talk to anyone except to the people of J&K. Now, elections have been held and people have democratically chosen their representatives. Notably, Jamat-I-Islami and Hurriyat too have joined the mainstream. This is the time for the Central government to initiate talks with the people of the region and remove the element of mistrust, at present looming large here. The Centre needs to talk to the Kashmiri youth, talk about development, prosperity, roads etc. so that a new J&K is scripted. We have to ensure that no Kashmiri youth goes to jail now.”
Mir took a strong dig at the Union Territory (UT) government for failing to meet the aspirations of the people. “The people who gave mandate to the National Conference to run the government are disillusioned. Because this Omar Abdullah-led government forgot to follow good governance practices. People gave mandate to the BJP to act as opposition. But during the eight months of the government in place, we have found that the BJP too forgot to play its role as an opposition. It means that both parties are in deep friendship with each other. Both the parties are protecting and serving their own interest and during this course, they have forgotten the public,” said Mir.
He strongly pitched for restoration of statehood should be restored. “Central government had promised to restore statehood. But eight months have passed, it has not been done. Statehood is the dignity and honour of the people of J&K. It should be restored without any delay,” Mir said.
In this context, he further stated that the Apni Party serves a strong reminder to the NC as well as the BJP to play their envisaged role of serving the people. “If they fail to serve the people, we will be compelled to come on to the streets,” he warned.
Criticising the National Conference for running the narrative that they are powerless, Mir alleged that the fact is that they don’t feel powerless when their own interests become of paramount importance – be it paying salary to MLAs, brining new luxury vehicles for their personal use or releasing CDF to MLAs. “When it comes to paying GPF to employees, it’s refused on the pretext that funds are not available. But when it comes to enhancing their funds for self expenses, the money is made available,” he said.
Mir also lashed at the government for ‘opening transfer factories. He alleged that the government is targeting the employees whose parents or any one from the family criticises their functioning and transfers them to insignificant and far flung areas. “There is no policy on transfers. The administration has to remain non-political. The government has to change its policy,” he said.
Commenting on the unemployment scenario prevailing in J&K, the senior vice president Apni Party, Ghulam Hassan Mir said, “The government promised to give one lakh jobs to youth within six months of coming into power. But the government has failed to fulfil its commitment.” He demanded that unemployed youth should be given stipends.
He strongly criticised the reservation policy. “Rich and influential with the reservation category get benefits irrespective of the fact that their children are not meritorious. While as a poor man’s child in general category with a merit is denied admission or job. Economic category is important to pass on benefits to the poor but meritorious,” he said.
Vouching for the empowerment of people at the grassroots level, Mir demanded panchayat elections, municipal elections and local bodies elections immediately. He also demanded July 13 to be restored as a holiday and constitutional guarantee to domicile law as in other states. (STC)