Amit Shah’s visit a missed opportunity to rebuild trust in J&K: Rattan Lal Gupta

Says J&K people disheartened by Centre’s apathy towards Statehood demand

Jammu, April 9: Advocate Rattan Lal Gupta, Provincial President of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), has expressed deep disappointment and strong resentment over the recently concluded three-day visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Jammu and Kashmir. He anguished against the visit of Home Minister which seemed to be a mere formality devoid of any substantive assurance regarding the long-pending and emotionally significant demand of the people—the restoration of full-fledged statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

In a press statement issued here today, the senior NC leader said that the people of J&K were anxiously awaiting some concrete announcement from the Home Minister, especially on the restoration of statehood, which was promised multiple times on the floor of the Parliament by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. “Unfortunately, the visit has only added to the frustration and alienation of the people, as Amit Shah chose to remain silent on the core issue, thereby betraying the hope of millions who were eagerly waiting for a positive statement,” he stated.

He further asserted that while the Union Government continues to disappoint the people with its shifty stand but the NC-led Government under the dynamic leadership of the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has already begun delivering on its promises made during the recent Assembly elections. “In a span of just five months, Omar led government has implemented several pro-people initiatives like free travel for women in government buses, enhanced marriage assistance for underprivileged girls, provision of 200 units per month of free electricity for AAY families, increase in ration quota from 5 Kg to 10 Kg per person per month to AAY families and exemption from Stamps duties for registration of Gift deed among blood relations, he said.

Rattan Lal Gupta remarked that such timely and people-centric decisions by the Omar Abdullah-led government reflect the sincerity and commitment of the JKNC towards the welfare of the common masses. However, he lamented that the Centre has failed to reciprocate the aspirations of the people by continuously dodging the statehood issue.

The Provincial President appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to stay united and vigilant against the anti people policies. “The National Conference will continue to raise the voice of the people and fight relentlessly until the dignity and identity of Jammu and Kashmir are fully restored through the reinstatement of its statehood,” he affirmed.