People in J&K getting restless, waiting for elected govt: Former Minister

‘Only NC capable of mitigating public suffering’: Babu Rampaul

Jammu, July 06: “The people of Jammu and Kashmir are being deprived of their democratic and constitutional right as the Centre is shying away from holding elections in Jammu and Kashmir”.

Former Minister and Zonal President JKNC, Babu Ram Paul was addressing the workers meeting at Khara Madana in Samba district organized by Bharat Bhushan, Secretary and Coordinator (District Samba) Central Zone JKNC. RamPaul was the chief guest on the occasion Whereas Zonal Secretary JKNC Dr Vikas Sharma, Zonal Secretary BD Dalotra and Zonal Secretary  Sandesh Shan were the guests of honour.

While addressing the meeting Former minister said that the last election was held in 2014 in Jammu and Kashmir and since then no election has been conducted depriving people of their constitutional and democratic rights. He said that India was called as mother of democracy but keeping people without elections for long is the murder of democracy and urged upon the Centre to hold assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir without any delay.

He further said that no democracy can survive without elections as popular government is the soul and people are its body. “The elections in Jammu and Kashmir had been conducted in the worst situations in the past and one cannot digest the excuse of the Centre that the situation is not conducive for elections”, Rampual added.

“The people of J&K were promised that they will get jobs, development, peace, prosperity and many other things after the abrogation of J&K’s special status, but nothing happened on the ground and people are running from pillars to post to get their things done”, he lamented.

Former Minister urged the youth to get ready for playing a vital role to bring change.  He said that the present scenario of Jammu and Kashmir has pushed the youth towards depression and anxiety as they are worried about their future presently looming in darkness.

Zonal Secretary JKNC, Dr Vikas Sharma while speaking on the occasion said that it was under NC’s rule that the erstwhile state was among top states of our country. He said that from unemployment to literacy Jammu and Kashmir was and is in a far better position than other states of India. He lambasted those dividing people in the name of religion and region. He said that the time has come to defeat such forces and strengthen the hands of Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Jenab Omar Abdullah for lasting peace in the Union Territory.

Zonal Secretary JKNC, Bharat Bhushan while speaking on the occasion said that the National Conference believes in communal harmony and equality among all religions besides equal development of all regions of Jammu and Kashmir. He reiterated the party’s stand with respect to restoration of statehood with full powers to address the aspirations of people.

Others who spoke on the occasion were Shakeel Ahmed, Rashid (Panch), Sham Lal, Bittu, Tarsem, Yasir, Janak Raj, Suresh Kumar, Ragunath singh and others.

(NOTE: PRESS RELEASE PUBLISHED AS RECEIVED)