PDP prez releases manifesto for LS polls, says JK converted to ‘open air prison’

Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party Chief Mehbooba Mufti on Friday released the manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha election.

The manifesto promised that the party will raise the voice in the Parliament to fight the “nefarious designs” of the union government after the abrogation of Article 370.

The manifesto has, however, no mention of the party demand of the “self-rule” formula which the PDP used to claim that it has the potential to resolve the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

The PDP manifesto titled “Guarding identities, preserving futures” released by Mufti in Srinagar point out that since 2019 after the “illegal abrogation of Article 370, J&K has been converted into an ‘open air prison’.

“There has been an unending onslaught on our collective identity, land, jobs, resources & infringement upon the very freedom to speak. A slew of decisions taken thousands of kms away in Delhi are being taken on a daily basis to disempower and dispossess us. There is a dire need to raise our voice against this onslaught on the floor of the parliament,” the manifesto read.

“Starting with drastic changes to state subject and land laws, followed by outsourcing of our resources by gifting contracts to outsiders. Even development projects are handed over to non- locals. Hundreds of government employees have been fired on flimsy grounds. Along with livelihoods passports too have been criminalised. Every recruitment scheme since 2019 stands tainted by murky scams. Thus depriving our hard working aspirants of job opportunities. Thousands of youngsters continue languishing in jails in and outside J&K as undertrials.

Most belong to poor families who lack even the wherewithal to visit them across the country,” it added.

“Trade on the Uri Muzaffarabad and Poonch Rawalakot which was a steady source of income to thousands of families has been shut down arbitrarily. For the past five years we are being made to believe that our collective disempowerment is our fait accompli. They are trying to enforce a sullen sense of silence and defeat. But where there is a will there is a way. Our voice is the only weapon to fight these nefarious designs. Our voice will be heard,” the manifesto also said.

The PDP manifesto talks of road connectivity, drinking water & sustainability, empowering women, youth empowerment, education, empowering societies, lighting up Kashmir and waste management.

UNI