The opposition National Conference on Tuesday demanded an “immediate” end to human rights violations in Kashmir and also sought “swift and effective justice” in all such cases.
“The National Conference wants to register its disappointment at the state government’s failure to prevent the loss of civilian lives despite repeated assurances of restraint and accountability in such cases. The recent killing of two young mothers in Kashmir during counter-insurgency operations is one such glaring example of the heart-wrenching nature of such tragedies,” reads a memorandum submitted by the party to the governor NN Vohra during his address to the lawmakers from both the Assembly and the Council here.
“The government failed to prevent such atrocities; it has also completely failed to deliver justice in such cases. We want to reiterate our demand for an immediate cessation of such atrocities and demand swift and effective justice in all such cases. The party is also concerned about the mass crackdowns and search operations where villages are ransacked and civilians subjected to harassment and humiliation,” the memorandum read, adding: “These acts add to the alienation and anguish on the ground and need to be stopped.”
Expressing concern over threats to J&K’s special position, the party, in the memorandum, accused the present dispensation of “failing” to protect the special status guaranteed to the state and its people under Article 370 and 35-A of the Constitution of India.
It also expressed deep concern over the “worsening situation in the state and the continued political vacuum that has affected its human rights situation, economy and growth adversely.”
“The already-alarming level of alienation in Kashmir, as evidenced by a sharp rise in militancy, has been further accentuated by repeated attempts to undermine Jammu and Kashmir’s unique political identity and the sentiments of the people. National Conference has been of the consistent opinion that the issue in J&K is that of a political nature and deserves a sustained, holistic and comprehensive political engagement,” the memorandum states.
Seeking a meaningful and result-oriented political dialogue with all shades of opinion, the party said that there is a “growing disenchantment and disillusionment across all regions of the state which is a matter of great concern.”
It also said that “unemployment and un-employability are two major challenges before the state. On both counts, the government has miserably failed. This has led to discontent among the youth of the state which can have dangerous consequences and thus should have been a priority of the government.”
The party also expressed concern over the “state of chaos and disarray” in the state administration.
“The government has failed to deliver the basic responsibilities it is expected to fulfill. Governance-deficit, corruption, nepotism, favouritism are the order of the day. The government should be held accountable for its failure to govern and blatant instances of corruption should be exposed,” the party said.
On return of power projects, the memorandum states that the government has “failed” to deliver on its promise to ensure the return of power projects as per Rangarajan committee report.
“The government of India has refused to return the power projects on the floor of the Parliament, which is a major setback to the state,” the NC memorandum reads. “The State is witnessing an unprecedented power-crisis due to the failure of the government to make key infrastructural upgradations and changes in the power distribution system well in time, thereby causing great inconvenience to the people”.
Meanwhile, the National Conference on Tuesday evening submitted an adjournment motion in the Assembly for a discussion in the House on Wednesday over civilian killings and other human rights violations in J&K.
“We have submitted adjournment motion to discuss civilian killings and other human rights violations,” senior NC leader Ali Muhammad Sagar told Greater Kashmir.