Kashmir Impulse Desk

Jammu, May 20 

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President Tariq Hameed Karra on Wednesday alleged that people in J&K were suffering due to a “dual control system” and accused the central government of failing to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing a workers’ convention at Talab Tillo in Jammu, Karra criticised the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, alleging that it had “betrayed” the people on the issue of statehood after failing to secure a majority in the assembly elections.

“People are the worst sufferers of the dual control system, which is a negation of the mandate of people,” Karra said, referring to the present administrative arrangement in Jammu and Kashmir.

The remarks also came against the backdrop of a recent demolition drive in Jammu’s Sidhra area.

Several senior Congress leaders, including JKPCC working president Raman Bhalla, former ministers Mula Ram, Yogesh Sawhney and others attended the convention, which was organised as part of the party’s “Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan” campaign marking the martyrdom anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Karra alleged that districts in the Jammu region, including Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Udhampur and Reasi, had been adversely affected following the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and the downgrading of the erstwhile state into a union territory.

“The youth are getting deprived of jobs at the cost of outside candidates. Locals were losing their land beside natural resources like sand, bajri and forest products to outsiders,” he alleged.

Karra said the Congress party was campaigning for restoration of statehood under the slogan “Hamari Riyasat, Hamara Haq” and through its “Ghar Ghar Dastak, Har Ghar Dastak” outreach programme.

He also urged party workers to strengthen booth-level organisation and mobilise support to counter the BJP politically.

Bhalla accused the BJP of pursuing “politics of hate and communalism” and alleged that unemployment and drug abuse had increased under its rule.

“Congress firmly stands for secular and inclusive policies to strengthen the social and secular fabric of society and maintain harmony and peace,” he said.

Former minister Yogesh Sawhney also accused the BJP of failing to fulfil promises related to statehood, employment and governance.

Later, addressing reporters, Congress leaders questioned the “bulldozer politics” allegedly being carried out by the administration in Sidhra.

“Encroachers should be removed following due legal process but the people, who had been living there for decades, should not be evicted in such a barbaric manner,” the leaders said, alleging that the action violated provisions of the Forest Rights Act and other legal safeguards.