Rehan Qayoom Mir
Kulgam, Sep 19: Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Kumar Choudhary, on Friday said the biggest issue confronting the people of Jammu and Kashmir is getting back whatever was snatched from them, including the statehood.
Addressing a gathering on the sidelines of the function here, the Dy CM said some people expect the ruling elected regime to step down. “But the government is committed to fighting for the restoration of the rights of people that have been snatched,” he said.
Choudhary said the National Conference has always fought for the rights of the people and will continue to do so. He said that restoring statehood is crucial for J&K, not for the government, but for the people whose livelihoods and opportunities have been affected.
“Today, outsiders are getting jobs, while locals are pushed aside,” he said, vowing to continue the fight against those responsible for the removal of Article 370 and the downgrading of the state into a Union Territory.
About the National Highway closure and subsequent losses to the fruit growers, the Dy CM said the growers never faced losses when J&K was a state, but today the highway remained closed for a longer period, causing extensive losses to the growers. “Unfortunately, the Lieutenant Governor didn’t utter even a single word on it,” he said.
Choudhary said those responsible for the state’s downgrading have met the LG, but not the elected Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who was elected by the people.
“The PDP leader (Iltija Mufti) needs to clarify why she met the LG instead of the elected government. The LG’s tenure has already ended, and she did so despite claiming that nothing is in his hands,” he said.
He said the biggest issue at present was the restoration of the identity snatched from the J&K people. “If anyone is responsible for this, it is PDP,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister said the elected government in Jammu and Kashmir has done whatever was under its domain, following the recent floods triggered by heavy rainfall.
“The Chief Minister visited almost every area affected by the floods, and the government has extended every possible support under its domain. J&K doesn’t want any healing, but wants compensation for those affected by the floods,” Choudhary said. “It is the Centre that has to provide compensation.”
