Srinagar, Aug 2, KNT: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday demanded financial compensation for the electricity generated by Jammu and Kashmir and supplied to the rest of the country. She also urged that free power be provided to the poor within the region.
“We are not supplying electricity to any foreign country—we are supplying it to our own nation. But in return, J&K is not receiving any real benefit,” Mehbooba said, while addressing a public gathering. “The poor people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve free electricity, and our state must be fairly compensated for the energy it contributes.”
Raising concerns about the credibility of the electoral process, Mehbooba alleged irregularities in voter lists across the country. Citing Maharashtra as a specific example, she questioned how more than one crore new voters were added between parliamentary and assembly elections. “How is this even possible? It shakes the very foundation of democracy,” she said.
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She also voiced deep concern over the deaths of several tribal youths in Kashmir, calling for an independent investigation. Referring to incidents in Pulwama, Bandipora, and Noorabad, she said there appeared to be a troubling pattern. “Young tribal boys are being picked up, labelled without evidence, and later shown as killed in encounters or suicides. There must be accountability.”
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On the issue of foreign policy, Mufti criticised New Delhi’s continued hostility with Pakistan, claiming it was harming India’s economy and trapping people in a cycle of poverty and unemployment. She reiterated that peace was only possible through dialogue—both internationally and within.
Referring to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s outreach efforts, she said, “Even Prime Minister Modi has the authority to take a bold initiative. If he follows Vajpayee’s path of dialogue and reconciliation, opening roads and building trust, we will welcome and support it. But if the policy continues in the direction of August 5, 2019, we will strongly oppose it.”
