Samba, July 24 : Apni Party Provincial President, Jammu, and Former Minister, S. Manjit Singh today demanded restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir with all powers to an elected Govt.
As per a press release, the Former Minister chaired a meeting with the locals in ward number 9, Dolian Municipal Committee limits at Bari Brahmana in Samba.
In this meeting, the locals voiced their concern over snatching the powers of an elected Govt and granting these powers to the Lt Governor of Jammu and Kashmir which will make him more powerful than an elected Govt.
“The people are in anger, and they have strongly opposed the Union Territory status. Initially, people were assured that the statehood would be restored. However, that demand was not fulfilled even as several years have passed, and the LG continues his Govt in J&K without elections for legislative assembly,” said the Former Minister, expressing his anguish over the weakening of a Govt that is yet to be formed after the scheduled polls.
He said that the people are not ready to accept the UT status to the erstwhile historic state of Jammu and Kashmir.
“J&K has a history that needs to be protected, and its statehood status should be restored. Accordingly, the powers that are granted to the LG J&K is not a justified move,” he said questioning the attention of the Central Govt.
He said that the Central Govt has weakened Jammu and Kashmir by granting powers to LG that would always be considered as a stumbling block in the working of an elected Govt.
He said that the elections for legislative assembly in J&K would be meaningless unless statehood is restored and the elected Govt is made overall powerful to take decisions, and order transfers.
Meanwhile, he also expressed his anguish over the harassment of the local youth on the name of illegal mining and seizure of the tractors-trolleys in Samba District.
He demanded that the Govt should not harass the local youth, whose employment or source of earning depend upon the mining.
He also pointed out the favoritism of the administration towards the mining mafia, and allegedly facilitating the mining in the district that needs to be curbed, and the rights of the locals should be promoted.