SRINAGAR, Nov 25: Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) president, Mehbooba Mufti Monday said that the Srinagar city has always remained victim of the National Conference's systematic neglect and misrule and the party has been exploiting the historical city for its political gains.
Addressing PDP cadres of Srinagar parliamentary constituency at the party headquarters, Mehbooba said the urban chaos and underdevelopment which the city is facing is all because of the rulers who have been shaming the people of Srinagar, by calling it their safety structure and safe house for their wicked and anti-people political beliefs. Srinagar, the summer capital of J&K, hardly gives a feel of any modern city and there is chaos everywhere because of the NC's misrule and mismanagement. The maximum brunt of 2010 situation was on Srinagar. Most of the young men who fell to the bullets of Omar Abdullah's government, and majority of people against whom FIRs have been lodged, belong to the city. But, ironically, all the eight assembly members and an MP of the party remained silent to the atrocities meted out against the people of Srinagar. Instead they remained busy justifying the government action against the people of Kashmir particularly of Srinagar. The PDP chief said the chilli grenades and pellet guns introduced by the NC government could inflict maximum injury on the people of summer capital.
The rulers have been projecting such methods as a mercy for the people, which are actually inhumane in nature and nowhere in vogue in the country. By legitimizing the state action and justifying the killings, the rulers have been criminalizing the situation. The youth of the city were pushed to the wall by demonising them as stone pelters, drug addicts and paid agents.
Mehbooba said the development is still at primitive stage in Srinagar, where the NC has been able to limit the development discourse to lanes and drains only, while the people in the cities around the country, which are not that historical than Srinagar, have been asking for rapid transport system and planned development. The power scenario is grim here, and in the present cold conditions people have to suffer because of the lack of alternate sources of energy.
Speaking on the occasion, the party's candidate for Srinagar parliamentary constituency and former Finance Minister, Tariq Hameed Karra said the PDP, with the support of people, has emerged as strong political forces over the last decade in the state. He said the NC has been thriving on the boycott in Srinagar and the tactical rigging thereof. He called up on the party cadre to work in coordination and help in defeating the hidden designs of the ruling party. Srinagar is heart of J&K and change should start from here.
On this occasion senior party leader chief spokesperson Naeem Akhtar, party treasurer Syed M Altaf Bukhari, senior leader Qazi Mohammad Afzal and other party leaders also addressed the gathering. |
