Every Section of J&K Is Suffering, There Is Total Misrule: Iltija Mufti

Kupwara : PDP leader Iltija Mufti on Monday accused the Jammu and Kashmir government of failing to address issues confronting people, including unemployment, education, healthcare, inflation and lack of employment opportunities, alleging that “every section” of the Union Territory was suffering.

Addressing a public interaction in Kupwara as per news agency Mufti said she had come to Jammu and Kashmir to engage with people, particularly the youth, and listen to their concerns on employment, education, women’s safety and other issues.

“There is unemployment, inflation. There is a total misrule going on here. They are not focusing on things they can do,” she said.

Mufti said unemployment was among the biggest challenges facing Jammu and Kashmir and questioned the government’s response to the concerns of educated unemployed youth.

“The youth of Jammu and Kashmir are struggling every day. The elected government is not able to give anything to the youth of Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.

She also raised the issue of medical interns demanding an increase in their stipend and questioned why the government had not taken a decision on the matter.

“Why can’t you increase their stipend? Why can’t you tell J&K Services Selection Board to withdraw the notification of MTS?” she asked.

Mufti alleged that medical interns had been given assurances regarding an increase in their stipend but later decided to intensify their agitation after the promised hike did not materialise.

“We are with the medical interns and we will stand with them till they don’t get a hike in their medical stipend,” she said.

The PDP leader also criticised the government over recruitment and reservation-related issues, alleging that there was no rationalisation of reservation and claiming that young people were facing difficulties in securing government jobs.

She accused the National Conference government of either outsourcing government jobs or “selling them”, and questioned the prospects for unemployed youth.

“Where will the youth of Jammu and Kashmir go in this situation?” she asked.

Mufti also criticised the NC government over its position on Article 370 and alleged that political parties were being treated differently when it came to holding protests.

She said the PDP had continued to raise the issue of Article 370 since its abrogation and alleged that its leaders and cadres had faced restrictions.

“PDP is the only group that has been fighting for Article 370 for the past seven years,” Mufti said.

She also alleged that protests by the ruling party were facilitated while similar programmes by the PDP were restricted.

On development in north Kashmir, Mufti said people during her interaction had highlighted connectivity, education and healthcare as major concerns.

She said road connectivity remained inadequate and claimed that healthcare facilities in parts of north Kashmir, including Kupwara and Lolab, were facing difficulties.

Mufti appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to consider establishing a super-speciality hospital in north Kashmir, saying the region needed better healthcare infrastructure.

“I don’t understand why there is no development in North Kashmir as it should have been,” she said.

The PDP leader also raised concerns over the detention of Kashmiri youth in jails in Jammu and Kashmir and outside the Union Territory.

She said many families from economically weaker backgrounds could not afford prolonged legal proceedings or travel to meet relatives lodged outside J&K.

“We have to look at the people of J&K with a compassionate eye, with a prism of compassion and generosity,” Mufti said.

She alleged that people in Jammu and Kashmir were subjected to a “double standard” and called for greater dialogue with the people of the Union Territory.

Mufti also called for changes in the banking sector to make credit more accessible to unemployed youth seeking to start businesses.

She said banks, particularly J&K Bank, should consider providing soft loans at lower interest rates to young entrepreneurs who were unable to secure government employment.

“We don’t have to just be pro-rich, we also have to be pro-poor, pro-marginalised sections and, most importantly, pro-youth of J&K,” she said.

Mufti said her visit was not politically motivated and was aimed at holding a dialogue with the people and understanding their concerns.(KNS)