KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday called for immediate end to border hostilities, saying military incursions were no solutions to problems.
“India and Pakistan should engage themselves in a meaningful dialogue,” Dr Abdullah said while addressing One Day NC Women Convention at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan in Jammu this afternoon, adding that ceasefire violations have brought havoc in the lives of border residents.
He said, apart from threat to human lives and damage to property, standing crops and livestock, the career of entire younger generation is on jeopardy with closure of nearly 400 schools. The scenario is worse in Kashmir where not only schools but also higher institutions of learning are closed for four months.
“How can our children stand for competition with fellow students of the country?” he asked and took jibe at the decision of PDP-BJP Government to reduce 50 per cent syllabus by holding examinations as per schedule.
He said the state government may be liberal in granting concession to students but can they ensure same in competitive exams live Civil Services and other professional courses. He expressed anguish over disruption in the career advancement of young people.
Dr Abdullah said the situation is critical and alarming across the state, with life virtually having come to standstill in the Valley.
He said the process of development stands paralysed, economic activity remains in shambles with not a single tourist showing up in the Valley and governance having taken nose-dive.
He estimated economic loss in the Valley to the tune of Rs 10,000 crore and said the impact of the unrest has been colossal in Jammu.
The business in this part of the region has equally suffered, he said adding that the governance is at its lowest ebb. The condition in hospitable is horrible, roads are highly dilapidated, utility services are in shambles and the state is passing through a nightmarish era, he maintained.
Referring to overall scenario across the country, the former Chief Minister said that no perceptible change is discernible on ground as promised by the Prime Minister while taking over reins of the country.
He decried exploitative tactics of the BJP and said false promises were made with the people to garner vote and support. The performance level of the coalition government in the state is deplorable, he observed.
Dr Abdullah cautioned the people against divisive machinations, saying after failing to govern attempts are being made to divide people on the basis of religion. “We can fight this malady and isolate communal elements by maintaining unity and amity,” he said.
The NC President, while referring to plight of women, said that their status has not changed on expected lines. “They continue to suffer discrimination and lack empowerment even after seventy years of independence”, he said and envisioned the day when women can stand with a sense of confidence and contribute hugely in decision making.
“Empowerment of few does not make any much difference,” he said hoping that the women at grass roots levels will be able to carve out rightful place for themselves in the society.
Addressing the convention, Provincial President Devender Singh Rana referred to the claim of the PDP-BJP Government that the political discourse in Kashmir has been changed from Azadi to education and said the situation, however, is on the contrary.
“The entire state is burning with Kashmir reeling under unrest and Jammu borders witnessing unprecedented horror in terms of shelling,” he said and asked as to who will change this discourse.
