Srinagar, Oct 18 (KNS): AIP Supremo and MLA Langate Er Rasheed has appealed mainstream political parties and Hurriyat leaders to do what so ever possible to help people of Gurez in ending their siege and miseries, as they have not only been deprived of their rights by the civil administration but army has converted major parts of Gurez and Talail Valley into an undeclared jail.
According to a statement issued to KNS, after interacting with people in Gurez, Talail and Baktoor areas during his two day visit, Er Rasheed said, “In the name of LOC fencing 70% residential houses and agriculture land has been left to the other side of fencing, as if that portion belongs to the other side of LOC. It has resulted in enormous hardships to the people, leaving them at the complete mercy of army. Barnai, Purana Talail, Achura, Choor Wan, Refuge Basti and dozens of villages have been completely caged by so called LOC fencing and all the entries to these villages have been closed. There is just one entry and exit gate in every village and all these gates are either in control of army or BSF.
People have been directed not to move out of their houses after 8pm. almost entire area is without mobile network as army is creating hurdles in allowing telecom companies to provide the same. In absence of a tunnel, as promised by successive Chief Minister’s, the valley faces tremendous hardships and remains almost cut off from rest of the world for almost seven months.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
The government doesn’t bother to macadamize or repair the main Bandipora Gurez road. Despite using all resources of Gurez valley army has preferred to engage hundreds of porters hailing from Jammu.
While ponies are given boiled drinking water, ill fated people of Tulail valley cry for every drop of water. There are no bunkers for civilian population to get protected in case of cross loc shelling. While central & State governments promised opening of silk route many times but the promises never turned into reality. It is worth to mention that Gulgit is just at two hour drive from Gurez.”
Er. Rasheed added “construction of 330MW power project will benefit less and harm more to the people of Gurez as it has already brought ecological destruction and a forestation in the area. The current ration scale is a big cause of concern for the entire population as they don’t have any agricultural land with them. Army has not compensated to the land owners whose four thousands Kanals of land have been forcibly snatched in 1948 for constructing helipad at Dawar.”
Er. Rasheed added that sentiments and aspirations of people of Gurez, Tulail & Baktoor valley are similar to that rest of Kashmir however, their voice goes unheard and Kashmiri people must never forget about the sufferings and sentiments of people of this valley. (KNS)