Srinagar, 13 Sept (KNS) : The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah Sunday said the Union Government must take serious and meaningful measures to address the growing sense of alienation, disappointment and distrust among the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

In a statement issued, He said that although elections were held in J&K, the elected government has remained deprived of full powers even after two years, which is contrary to democratic, constitutional and moral principles.

Dr Farooq said that the decisions taken on August 5, 2019, were a major mistake by New Delhi, and the sooner the Central Government rectifies this mistake, the better it will be for the unity, integrity and democratic system of the country.

He said that the Centre will eventually have to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s special position, and the National Conference will continue its struggle for this demand until it is achieved. The party, he said, will continue to raise the issue of restoration of J&K’s constitutional and democratic rights in every Assembly, Parliament and other appropriate forum.

Expressing strong resentment over the continued extension of the Union Territory system in Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Farooq said that the people had given a mandate through their votes to an elected government to run the affairs of the region and address their problems and difficulties. However, New Delhi has imposed an undemocratic system over the elected government, creating hurdles in its efforts to provide relief to the people and resolve their day-to-day issues.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

He said that the demand for restoration of statehood is being pursued precisely to enable the J&K government to serve the people more effectively and reduce, to the extent possible, the multiple difficulties confronting them. He made it clear that demanding restoration of statehood in no way means that the National Conference has abandoned its demand for restoration of special status.

“Our party will continue, under all circumstances, to struggle for restoration of the constitutional rights that the people of Jammu and Kashmir enjoyed under the Constitution of India. We will not hesitate to make any sacrifice for this cause,” he said.

Dr Farooq said that despite the toughest challenges, hurdles and constraints, the present National Conference government is making every possible effort to provide relief to the people, strengthen the infrastructure for development and ensure the delivery of essential and basic services. He said that National Conference legislators are also continuously available in their respective constituencies, listening to people’s grievances and making every possible effort to address them.

He reiterated that the National Conference remains firmly committed to its basic and principled position and said that Safeguarding the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir remains the party’s foremost priority.(KNS)