NC chief says New Delhi must speak up on developments in PoJK; defends growth of hotels, calls alleged harassment of families a serious issue

Srinagar, July 29 (KNO): National Conference (NC) president Dr Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday urged the Central government to raise issues concerning the people of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), saying New Delhi must speak up on developments there if it considers the region an integral part of India.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function in Srinagar, Dr Farooq, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said he had appealed to the Prime Minister and the External Affairs Minister to take up the matter.

“If PoJK is an integral part of India, then the Government must speak up about what is happening there. I have not heard it raising its voice on the issue. The UN Human Rights Commission should also take note of the developments there,” he said.

He said stronger intervention was needed until the concerns of the people living in PoJK were addressed.

Responding to a query about Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s remarks that more than 5,000 illegal hotels had come up in Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Farooq defended the growth of private accommodation, saying it reflected people’s efforts to earn a livelihood while meeting the increasing influx of tourists.

“Be thankful those hotels have come up. Tourists visit here. Where else would they stay? I have seen the time when tourists had to sleep in taxis, cars and even on the roads. Be thankful that people are now standing on their own feet instead of depending on government jobs,” he said.

Replying to another query on the alleged crackdown on students in Delhi, the NC president said the families of those booked in different cases were being harassed, describing it as a serious issue requiring immediate attention.

“The families are being harassed. This is a big issue and the government must take it seriously,” he said.—(KNO)