Jammu, Jan 15: Apni Party Provincial President Jammu and former minister S. Manjit Singh on Monday said there is hopelessness among the people of Jammu and Kashmir without an elected government.
Addressing a public meeting at Ramgarh in Samba, Singh expressed his concern over “delaying tactics” to restore the democratic system in Jammu and Kashmir. “The people feel deprived of their basic rights in the wake of delayed elections for the last several years. In these years, various governments were formed through elections, but Jammu and Kashmir remained ignored for the same,” he said.
During the public meeting, the participants expressed their concern over growing developmental issues, unemployment, exploitation of resources by outsiders and lack of employment for local youth in the industrial sector, according to the statement.
Referring to their issues, Manjit demanded the government should hold the industrial sector accountable for not employing local youth of the surrounding areas in Samba’s industrial sector. “There is anger among the locals for hiring outsiders,” he said while extending support to the locals.
He referred to the brewing concern over unscheduled power cuts in Ramgarh, Samba district which has affected normal life especially when the temperature has witnessed unprecedented drops and constant dry spells.
The Apni Party leader said that the government should take initiatives to streamline the electricity supply so that drinking water can also be supplied regularly.
“The farmers have complaints that their water pumps do not work because of unscheduled long hours power cuts. Hence, the irrigation fields remain without water supplies,” he said, adding that the power cuts have also affected the religious ceremonies in the district.
Manjit said the government has not taken steps for on-the-spot recruitment of the unemployed border youth in Ramgarh and other areas along the International Border. “Our youth should be given an opportunity to get recruited in the army, paramilitary, and JKP under a special recruitment drive in border areas of Jammu,” he said.
He said the party stands with the people of Jammu plains and supports their demand for reservation of jobs in the industrial sector and protection of their resources and trade for the locals.
“We strongly oppose interference of outsiders and grab of our resources. The Apni Party will not tolerate any kind of discrimination against the people of Jammu plains irrespective of their region or religion. We believe in unity,” he added.
