Appeals leaders to come forward, end miseries of people
AIP Supremo and MLA Langate Er Rasheed today appealed mainstream political parties and Hurriyat leaders to do what so ever possible to help people of Gurez in ending their siege and miseries, as they have not only been deprived of their rights by the civil administration but army has converted major parts of Gurez and Talail Valley into an undeclared jail.
After interacting with people in Gurez, Talail and Baktoor areas during his two day visit, Er Rasheed in a statement said, “In the name of LOC fencing 70% residential houses and agriculture land has been left to the other side of fencing, as if that portion belongs to the other side of LOC. It has resulted in enormous hardships to the people, leaving them at the complete mercy of army. Barnai, Purana Talail, Achura, Choor Wan, Refuge Basti and dozens of villages have been completely caged by so called LOC fencing and all the entries to these villages have been closed,” he said.
The MLA said there is just one entry and exit gate in every village and all these gates are either in control of army or BSF.
“People have been directed not to move out of their houses after 8pm. almost entire area is without mobile network as army is creating hurdles in allowing telecom companies to provide the same,” he said.
Er Rasheed said in the absence of a tunnel, as promised by successive chief ministers, the valley faces tremendous hardships and remains almost cut off from rest of the world for almost seven months.
Er. Rasheed added construction of 330MW power project will benefit less and harm more to the people of Gurez as it has already brought ecological destruction and a forestation in the area.
“The current ration scale is a big cause of concern for the entire population as they don’t have any agricultural land with them. Army has not compensated to the land owners whose four thousands Kanals of land have been forcibly snatched in 1948 for constructing helipad at Dawar,” Er. Rasheed added.
He said the sentiments and aspirations of people of Gurez, Tulail and Baktoor valley are similar to that rest of Kashmir, however, their voice goes unheard and Kashmiri people must never forget about the sufferings and sentiments of people of this valley.
(PTK)