29-Mar-2024  Srinagar booked.net

PoliticsKashmir

PADG Pledges To Stand On 4 August 2019 Position

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Srinagar: In the third meeting over the voting rights controversy, the PAGD (People's Alliance Of Gupkar Declaration) pledged to stand on the 4, August 2019 position (i.e. before the abrogation of article 370) and jibed at the present government stating that the revised electoral roll exercise is prerogative to the Election Commission of India and the democracy has become a joke in Jammu in Kashmir.

Addressing a press conference here, PAGD spokesman M Y Tarigami said that the alliance leaders discussed the present political scenario in J&K and expressed their serious concern on the fast deteriorating situation in Kashmir as well Jammu, Kargil, Ladakh, and other regions of the erstwhile state.

“How many times will people misunderstand this present government, First an electoral officer announces controversial statements then the government denies them. Now, a Deputy Commissioner in Jammu order Tehsildars to issue residency certificate to people living in the region for more than a year and then withdraws the order. This is the mockery of democracy,” he told reporters.

Mr. Tarigami said that giving voting rights is the prerogative of the Election Commission, and asked how come the government was issuing orders.

“After taking away the constitutional right of Article 370, other ways of survival are being gradually choked. Apple economy is in loss, Civil liberties, freedom of the press, freedom of speech is under assault while police stations and jails are being filled with innocent people,” said Tarigami, who was flanked by PAGD chief Dr. Farooq Abdullah, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, ANC vice president Muzaffar Shah and others.

Tarigami said that it was high time that people and the political parties of J&K must wake up and raise a collective and united voice against the “present onslaught of New Delhi on people here.”

The registration of voters in Jammu & Kashmir has been mired in controversy after then chief electoral officer Hirdesh Kumar said that 20-25 lakh would be added during the revised electoral roll exercise, after 370 abrogation-2019 any Indian resident ordinarily living in J&K including paramilitary forces, nonlocals laborers would be able to vote in assembly elections.

When reactions came from trans-regional parties, the government came up with a 'clarification' through DIPR (Department of Information and Public Relations) stating it means for those who have attained the age of 18 years. 

Earlier this week, the J&K government withdrew a circular issued by DC Deputy Commissioner, Jammu authorizing Revenue officials to issue residence certificates to those living in the region for more than one year.

PAGD also took a jibe at Prime Minister Narender Modi, saying that Naya Kashmir prioritizes decentralization and democracy was already at the grassroots level.

He said that if J&K is being converted into the Gujarat model; why the sale of liquor and beer is being allowed in department stores freely?  

(With KNO Inputs)