Leaders, bizmen criticise Centre on assertion of normalcy in Valley
SRINAGAR: Political leaders of various mainstream parties and members of business community on Wednesday said criticised central government assertion of normalcy in Kashmir, saying “every sector has suffered losses amid communication shutdown besides detention of political leaders”.
Union home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday tole Rajya Sabha that the situation in Kashmir was improving reiterated that normalcy has returned in the Valley. Schools, colleges, shops and market are open and law and order situation is normal.
“There is no shortage of medicine, food or fuel and no single person has died in police firing after August 5,” Shah told Rajya Sabha.
On internet shutdown, the home minister said the services will resume on the recommendation of local administration and a decision will be taken at an appropriate time after consultation with administration.
While Shah was providing detailed report on the current situation of the Valley, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad countered his statements saying education is in dismal state in the Valley.
“Schools and colleges have been opened, but there is negligible attendance. There is no provision to ensure students are able to commute from school to their homes safely,” Azad said.
Commenting over Shah’s arguments on snapping internet services, Azad said: “There has been threat from Pakistan for several years, there is nothing new about it. Then why such draconian measures? How will students continue their education without internet services?”
GOVT HIDING THE TRUE PICTURE: JKPCC CHIEF
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Ghulam Ahmad Mir said there has been complete lockdown in Kashmir for four months.
“Even if home minister claims nobody has been killed which could be contested, people still suffered in shape of economic losses. From past 100 days, schools are closed. If a student losses one day of education who will take responsibility for that.’’
Mir said the home minister should have explained how the government was planning to compensate the people in the state. “With the lockdown, people of every section has suffered losses.”
The Congress state president said the home minister is portraying a “wrong picture” of Kashmir in the Parliament. “They are giving self-made figures and presenting the true picture of the state,” he added.
Schools and colleges have been opened, but there is negligible attendance. There is no provision to ensure students are able to commute from school to their homes safely GHULAM NABI AZAD , Congress leader
POLITICAL PROCESS IN SHAMBLES: NC LEADER
National Conference (NC) Lok Sabha MP Hasnain Masoodi said one of the indicators that could reflect normalcy in the Valley is the political process there.
“Entire political leadership, even at district level is under detention. All the mainstream leadership is in jails. There might be some kind of resumption in business but it continues to remain closed most of the time. Opening of business for few hours in morning or evening or some public transport plying on roads doesn’t indicate that the situation has improved.’’
He said the internet is not working which is one of the essential services in the present day.
PDP QUESTIONS DETENTIONS
PDP Rajya Sabha MP Fayaz Mir said if everything is normal why more than 600 people have been arrested, including three former chief ministers.
“Why is internet still shut, hundreds of people are in jails if things are normal. Why they (Centre) is not starting a dialogue with political leadership,” Mir questioned.
Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries president Sheikh Ashiq said, “Since August 5, the Valley’s business sector has suffered losses of over ₹10,000 crore. Nobody is against fresh investment or development. The government which is always for the welfare of people should on its own take measures to compensate the people for losses. Every sector is bleeding,” he said..