Pulwama, Jun 18: National Conference (NC) president, Dr Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday urged party workers to place their trust in the elected government, asserting that sustained faith and democratic participation can help resolve the region’s pressing issues.
Addressing party workers in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, Abdullah said, “I understand that we are going through challenging times. There isn’t a single person who is not struggling in some way.”
He appealed to party workers to repose faith in the elected MLAs. “Have faith in them, your problems will be resolved,” he said. “The new government has five years. A lot will change in five years.”
The former chief minister expressed concern over the continued delay in holding elections for vacant seats in the Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly and Rajya Sabha. “By-elections were held in other parts of the country for vacant seats, but Jammu and Kashmir continues to await elections for two assembly seats,” he said, adding that all four of J&K’s Rajya Sabha seats too remain vacant. “This delay is unconstitutional,” he said.
Dr Abdullah also raised concerns over environmental degradation in the region, particularly pointing to mining in Karewas and water streams. “Karewas were stripped bare in the name of profit, and indiscriminate mineral extraction from water bodies is increasing stream depths, affecting water supply schemes,” he said, adding that water pumps fail to load from streams deepened due to mineral extraction.
“We are witnessing hailstorms, untimely rainfall, and dry spells. This is all done by ourselves,” he added.
The NC chief cautioned the public against falling prey to fraudsters. “Be wary of agents who are roaming around, promising government jobs in exchange for large sums of money. These are traps meant to exploit the gullible,” he warned.
