Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) youth leader Iltija Mufti has questioned the Centre’s approach towards the people of Jammu and Kashmir, asking why New Delhi had engaged with people in Nagaland and Punjab in the past but was not adopting a similar approach towards Jammu and Kashmir.
“If the central government has talked with the people of Nagaland and Punjab, then why this double standard with regard to the people of Jammu and Kashmir?” Greater Kashmir quoted her as saying.
Speaking to reporters after a youth interaction program at Town Hall, Kupwara, on Monday, Mufti said the Government of India should adopt the same approach towards Jammu and Kashmir as it had done in Nagaland and Punjab.
Mufti said the first step towards creating a conducive atmosphere in Jammu and Kashmir should be the release of political prisoners on compassionate grounds.
“Lakhs of people are languishing in jails, not only in the jails of Jammu and Kashmir but also in jails outside. Most of these inmates are from marginalised families who cannot even afford litigation,” she said.
She also alleged that the PDP was not being allowed to raise its voice against the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A.
“Whenever PDP raises its voice against the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A, we are not being allowed to do so,” she said.
Mufti further criticised the Omar Abdullah-led government, alleging that it had failed to meet the expectations of the youth.
She claimed that government jobs were being outsourced, causing disappointment among job aspirants, and alleged that the National Conference government had failed to fulfil promises made in its manifesto, including 200 free units of electricity, 12 free gas cylinders and one lakh jobs. (With inputs from agencies)