Mirwaiz urges political leaders to get united to protect IIOJK’s identity and rights
Calls for restoration of Articles 370, 35A, release of prisoners and peaceful resolution
Srinagar, August 30 (KMS): Senior All Parties Hurriyat Conference leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has urged political leaders in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir to rise above party interests and work collectively for protecting the identity, dignity and political rights of the people.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said political parties must make efforts for restoration of Articles 370 and 35A, release of political prisoners and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute.
He said the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir had been “snatched away by force”, its statehood abolished and the territory reduced to a Union Territory. He maintained that it was the moral responsibility of political parties to raise their voice for restoration of the rights and constitutional guarantees of the people.
The Mirwaiz criticised the National Conference-led administration for failing to fulfil its commitments to the people and said the issues on which the party had sought a public mandate were not evident on the ground. He said the National Conference had not done enough to defend the rights, identity and guarantees associated with Jammu and Kashmir.
He urged political leaders and representatives to keep the broader interests of Jammu and Kashmir above internal and party differences and present a unified voice on issues concerning the territory’s political future.
The Mirwaiz’s remarks came amid renewed debate within the National Conference after Srinagar Lok Sabha member Agha Ruhullah Mehdi questioned the party’s position on restoration of Article 370 and its commitments made in the election manifesto. Mirwaiz praised Mehdi for raising issues concerning the people and urged political organisations to stand by their commitments.
Meanwhile, Mirwaiz also criticised the recent increase in electricity tariffs in IIOJK, saying the territory’s economy was already fragile and low-income people could not bear additional financial pressure. He urged the administration to defer the tariff hike.
Expressing solidarity with victims of the recent tragedy in Nepal, he warned that changing weather patterns, unplanned construction and environmental degradation posed serious risks to the Himalayan region, including Kashmir.
He said development, tourism and infrastructure should not come at the cost of ecology and called for a comprehensive roadmap to regulate construction and protect Kashmir’s fragile Himalayan environment.
The Mirwaiz warned that continued interference with the ecosystem could lead to an ecological disaster and urged authorities and experts to take immediate measures to safeguard the region’s natural environment.
