Srinagar, May 25: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday termed the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 a “disaster”, saying there can be no solution without dialogue. She urged the Government of India (GoI) to initiate sustained engagement with the people of Jammu and Kashmir on the lines of discussions held with the leadership of Ladakh.
Addressing the press conference here, Mehbooba said the Centre had tried to make some corrections after the decisions taken in August 2019 by engaging with the leadership in Ladakh.
“The destruction that was done in 2019 and the way constitutional rights of Jammu and Kashmir were snatched, the Government of India perhaps tried to make some correction beginning from Ladakh,” she said.
Mufti said the leadership of Leh and Kargil rose above regional and religious considerations and held nearly “20 to 22 rounds” of talks with New Delhi, eventually securing assurances on issues including jobs, land and reservations.
“They deserve appreciation because, despite setbacks, they continued dialogue and achieved something. They remained united and negotiated collectively,” she said.
The former chief minister said the same approach should now be adopted for Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that roads, electricity and water could be provided by any government, but healing the wounds in people’s hearts requires engagement and confidence-building.
She said her party has always maintained that dialogue is the only way forward for resolving issues in Jammu and Kashmir.
The PDP chief further referred to initiatives during the tenure of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and later under Manmohan Singh when, she said, efforts were made to engage with different stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir.
She recalled attempts made during the tenure of late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and later during her own government to continue the process of engagement despite challenging security situations.
“When my government was formed in 2016, militancy was at its peak. Police stations and army camps were being attacked, but even then, we sought engagement and delegations from Delhi visited Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.
Mehbooba said interlocutors were appointed during her tenure, and dialogue was encouraged despite resistance from separatist groups at that time. “Today, unfortunately, the BJP’s approach is similar to what separatists once adopted against dialogue,” she alleged.
The former CM said she had also attempted to bring together political parties under the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) after 2019 to seek restoration of constitutional guarantees enjoyed by Jammu and Kashmir before August 5, 2019.
“We tried to bring together all parties except the BJP to collectively seek restoration of our constitutional rights and restart engagement with Delhi,” she said.
Referring to the recent Assembly elections, Mufti said people participated in large numbers with hopes that their “lost dignity and rights” would be restored.
“Many people who had never voted earlier participated in elections this time because they believed a government would come that would protect their rights,” she said, adding that there has still been no serious effort to engage with the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
She said the youth, in particular, were feeling deeply alienated. “Whenever alienation grows, separatism also grows. Today, the youth here feel the most alienated,” she said.
Urging the Centre to initiate confidence-building measures, Mehbooba said New Delhi should begin the same process of dialogue in Jammu and Kashmir that it started in Ladakh. “Pakistan is a separate issue, but at least engage with the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.
The PDP chief also alleged that people in Jammu and Kashmir were feeling suffocated because of PSA detentions, NIA raids, property seizures and dismissal of employees.
She said several detainees were not even allowed to visit families during deaths in their households. “There are many prisoners whose parents died, but they were not allowed to attend funerals. The government should open the doors of jails and show some compassion towards the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.
Questioning official claims regarding the decline in militancy, Mehbooba referred to recent incidents in Ganderbal and Noorabad and alleged that civilians were being exposed to danger during anti-militancy operations.
“The LG administration says militancy is over, but then why are soldiers still being killed?” she asked.
She further alleged that in some cases, civilians were taken during operations and pushed into risky situations.
Mehbooba also referred to the recent killing of a minor girl in Budgam and demanded strict action against those involved. “Such incidents break the heart. Strict punishment must be ensured so that such crimes are not repeated,” she said.
Recalling the 2018 Kathua rape-and-murder case during her tenure as chief minister, Mehbooba said she had dropped two ministers from her cabinet and asserted that the same seriousness must be shown now as well.
On the issue of drugs, the PDP president expressed concern over the increasing narcotics menace in Jammu and Kashmir after 2019.
She questioned how drugs were still entering the region despite the closure of routes such as Muzaffarabad Road and Rawalakot. “The anti-drug campaign is welcome, but the government must identify the kingpins and root sources behind the narcotics trade instead of selective arrests,” she said.
Calling for political unity in Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba urged parties across regions and communities to come together like the leadership in Leh and Kargil.
“We should rise above regional and religious divisions and collectively seek engagement with Delhi. What could not be achieved individually may now be possible together,” she said, adding there is no way forward without dialogue and sustained engagement—(KNO)
