The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday alleged that even three years after the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution in August 2019, the Centre’s “oppressive and punitive” measures in Jammu and Kashmir do not see an end. The party in the October issue of its monthly newspaper ‘Speak Up’, released on Monday, hit out at the government over several issues, including the use of the Public Safety Act (PSA) and the “alleged war against Kashmir’s horticulture industry”.
The party alleged that after shutting down the Jamia Masjid and forcing Kashmiri school children to sing hymns, “they are now targeting our religious scholars and using the Indian government’s favourite harsh PSA against them. ”
Referring to the recent issue of fruit trucks being stuck on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, the PDP alleged that the “Centre’s war against the horticulture industry of Kashmir is a classic example of oppressive and punitive measures” where “all our fruits have to be sold”.
The party said, “Naturally, like their previous steps, they have turned a blind eye to the problems of Kashmiri fruit growers. The prices of Kashmiri apples have come down to Rs 20 due to Iranian apple imports and our fruits are rotting in stranded trucks.” Reminds me of when the Catholic Church was building a new Europe.
The party said, “Houses would be raided at midnight and people would be kidnapped to torture them so that the church could take over their land and their property.”
The PDP said, “Our own ED (enforcement). Directorate), like SIA and NIA (National Investigation Agency). History repeats itself and while we have come a long way from the Middle Ages, the steps of the Government of India are proof of the adage that the more things change, the more they change. persist.”