Shah’s visit a missed opportunity to rebuild trust in J&K: NC’s Gupta

Jammu, Apr 09: National Conference (NC) Provincial President, Advocate Rattan Lal Gupta on Wednesday expressed deep disappointment and strong resentment over the three-day visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Jammu and Kashmir.
“The Home Minister’s visit seemed to be a mere formality devoid of any substantive assurance regarding the long-pending and emotionally significant demand of the people—the restoration of full-fledged statehood to Jammu and Kashmir,” he said in a statement issued here.
Gupta said the people of J&K were anxiously awaiting some concrete announcement from the Home Minister, especially on the restoration of statehood, which was promised multiple times on the floor of the Parliament by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
“Unfortunately, the visit has only added to the frustration and alienation of the people, as Amit Shah chose to remain silent on the core issue, thereby betraying the hope of millions who were eagerly waiting for a positive statement,” he said.
The senior NC leader asserted that while the Union Government continues to disappoint the people with its shifty stand, the NC-led government has already begun delivering on its promises made during the recent Assembly elections.
“In a span of just five months, Omar-led government has implemented several pro-people initiatives like free travel for women in government buses, enhanced marriage assistance for underprivileged girls, provision of 200 units per month of free electricity for AAY families, increase in ration quota from 5 Kg to 10 Kg per person per month to AAY families and exemption from Stamps duties for registration of gift deed among blood relations,” he said.
“Such timely and people-centric decisions by the Omar Abdullah-led government reflect the sincerity and commitment of the NC towards the welfare of the common masses,” Gupta said. However, he lamented that the Centre has failed to reciprocate the aspirations of the people by continuously dodging the statehood issue.
The NC Provincial President appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to stay united and vigilant against the “anti-people” policies. “The National Conference will continue to raise the voice of the people and fight relentlessly until the dignity and identity of Jammu and Kashmir are fully restored through the reinstatement of its statehood,” he said.