In any part of the world manifestos are well thought out documents that reflect a political party’s stand on issues concerning people. But when it comes to Kashmir conventions are often sent to dustbins. It was only hours before the commencement of first phase of state assembly elections that the ruling National Conference remembered to release its party’s manifesto. A cursory look at the ten page document that was released by the party, development and rhetoric shadows the issues concerning masses. There is no mention of serious issues like human rights violations that are happening in the state in last two and half decades of conflict and under the NC government. No space is given to youth and issues concerning them. The manifesto talks about development repeatedly without really defining the kind of development they are talking about. There is no mention of cases pending against alleged stone-pelters. Does the party have any plan to rehabilitate youngsters who are booked under controversial laws like PSA!
There is no word regarding the system of delivery of justice in cases related to security. Is NC going to speed up the delivery of justice in cases involving officers in uniform? There are thousands of cases pending before high court involving men in uniform who are accused of human rights violations and even murder.
Another interesting manifesto that was released by the Congress party, a day after commencement of first phase of polls, talks about party’s past achievements and future plans. But the manifesto is silent on issues like human rights violations and delivery of justice in conflict torn Kashmir. Like NC, the key point of Congress’ manifesto is development that remains unexplained. Under the heading of ‘Reform Governance’ the party wants to put citizen safety and dignity on their priority list. But that is all that is being talked about citizens in Congress manifesto. Rest is left to ones imagination.
For state’s principle opposition PDP ‘self rule document will be the guiding framework for resolution of Kashmir issue’. The party wants to use Article 370 itself to restore the original special status of the state. PDP talks about empowering Institutions: Genuine autonomy will be given to institutions of probity, which include: state accountability commission, vigilance commission and organizations that deal with the right to information. But fails to add the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) in the list of institutions of probity which need to be empowered.
Though the party talks about review of all the cases against youth and withdrawal of them after scrutiny, it skips important issues like rehabilitation of PaK retuned militants and their families.
The party also wants to review the use of inhuman crowd control methods like the pellet guns which dominated the debate in 2013-14.
But given the kind of situation that Kashmiris face while living under such a huge security setup, party manifestos seem to turn a blind eye towards men in uniform. There is no breather for the common man in a highly militarized set up.
