Centre turning J&K economically, culturally backward: Congress

Tribune News Service

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Srinagar, August 20

J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president GA Mir today alleged that Jammu and Kashmir was being turned “economically and culturally backward” as part of a conspiracy hatched in New Delhi.

“J&K has been turned into a football stadium where different captains come for training. People from the entire world are being brought here but those who are the real residents are troubled. If you look at any sector….be it political or developmental….be it health or tourism….in every manner, J&K is being pushed towards economic blockade. Sources of income are being stopped. First, there was a law and order issue and now Covid-19 has been made an excuse. Youth, traders, hoteliers and daily wagers and those associated with agriculture and horticulture are affected. As part of a planned conspiracy, people of J&K, especially Kashmir, are being turned backward — economically and culturally as well,” Mir told reporters on the sidelines of a function held here to pay tributes to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 76th birth anniversary.

This was the first major party function held at the JKPCC headquarters, Maulana Azad Road here, after the abrogation of Article 370 last year on August 5.

“Right from August 4 last year, Congress leaders were placed under house arrest. Later we held several meetings but for the first time since August 4 we invited the media to the JKPCC headquarters,” said a Congress leader.

Meanwhile, Mir said the Congress had given “alert calls” to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and advised it against entering into an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).