Srinagar: Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) Chief Tariq Karra on Sunday expressed concern about the possible restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir in a “diluted form.”
Speaking on the sidelines of the first working committee meeting of his Shalteang constituency, held at the party headquarters in Srinagar, Karra voiced his apprehensions to the media.
“I am concerned that if statehood is restored to Jammu and Kashmir, it might come with amendments that undermine its original essence,” he said.
The J&K PCC President further remarked, “The way the BJP government is approaching the issue of statehood restoration raises fears that it might be granted in a compromised form. I am particularly apprehensive about the bill the Centre plans to introduce in Parliament—its provisions and the final shape it might take.”
…“I wish that my apprehensions would not be true”, he said.
“We will never accept statehood in the amended form”, Karra emphasized.
In reply to a question, the Congress leader said “the dual power system is very detrimental for the people of Jammu and Kashmir” alleging “I know it is not in the national interest and I know that certain forces are perpetrating it”.
“It seems the BJP has pledged not to listen to anything from the people of Jammu and Kashmir”, Karra said, adding “What kind of sins the people of Jammu and Kashmir have committed and being punished for”.
“I urge the central government not to fuel the fire. They are trying to create unrest in Jammu and Kashmir under the present system”, he said.
The PCC Chief said the employees didn’t know with which power they belong in the government system either with the elected government or under the Lieutenant Governor Powers.
“I have been often saying the people of Jammu and Kashmir are suffering especially the poor ones in the present system”, he said.
Karra alleged it seems those people (outside bureaucrats) have come here for a picnic and torturing the people.
UNI
