Peoples Conference Chief Sajad Gani Lone today released the party manifesto for the upcoming Assembly polls in J&K promising to restore the Article 370, resolution of Kashmir issue, release of political prisoners and a dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Lone while releasing the party manifesto titled—Dignity and Development—said that the document promises restoration of Article 370 and 35 A snatched from the people of J&K on August 2019.
“What happened in 2019 and how were disempowered, you know it all. There is a foreword in the manifesto on this issue. We promise to fight the restoration of Article 370 and 35 A. We believe its not over. We can again have federal powers that J&K as a State enjoyed in the past as being one of the most politically empowered State,” Lone said.
He said the party manifesto also advocates resolution of Kashmir issue. “Conflicts have to be resolved. I believe it’s the lack of leadership and statesmanship from both India and Pakistan. The day two statesmen will sit, Kashmir issue would be resolved,” the PC president said, adding that the party also believes that the land that was under poor people and was snatched from them should be returned to them. “A poor person having the possession of land measuring half a kanal, five malras and three malras who was living on the same for 50 odd years should get back his land. But yes, government must act against those who have encroached State land upto 50 kanals, 100 kanals and above,” Lone said.
He said the document also calls for a rehabilitation policy for those who picked up arms and want to live a peaceful life now. “These people can’t be demonised forever,” he said.
Lone said the manifesto also advocates return of Kashmiri Pandits in dignified manner so that they can go back to their roots once again. He also said that it has been seen that if a family member was having a separatist thought, entire family is being punished. “Entire family is denied passport, government job and what not. Where will these people go? Why are they being punished for one person’s thoughts,” he said.
About Public Safety Act (PSA), Lone said in the first place, there is no place for such laws in a civilised society. “We believe this law should be abolished,” he said. Lone, as per the party sources, will contest from two seats—Handwara and Kupwara