Dear Maam,
You are among the seasoned politicians of Globe. Let me take this opportunity to congratulate you on becoming party Leader of PDP as well as the first women Chief Minister of the place with the highest number of troops, more than the troops in Afghanistan and Iraq combined Jammu & Kashmir. After near about three months fortunately the music has stopped and playing Musical chairs has ended. I am writing this letter to you because I harbor care for the people of Jammu & Kashmir.
Your Father, Late Mufti Mohammad Syeds tenure as Chief Minister is hailed by many as bright era for Kashmir while some also criticize it equally. No doubt National Conference era saw a lot of innocent killings, but in your (PDP) era though killings of innocents were little less but still a lot of local militant commanders lost their precious lives. It would not be right to dig too much in the past as it looks eminently clear that your party PDP is once again trying its luck with BJP in state.
Despite our different political methodologies, I as a pro-freedom lover, would like to make following suggestions as you have are back in power. Here are few recommendations to make:
I have seen you (Mehbooba) since my childhood in a green Overcoat; hearing the pains of conflict ridden, voicing concerns over human rights abuses, emotional sloganeering was the forte of your polity. Even when National Conference was the only king in the so called mainstream politics of Kashmir it was you via your charismatic speeches, ground rooted activism and fiery speeches within and outside Assembly ensured almost a considerable decimation of National Conference and on the other side your suspected links with militants has long worried New Delhi.
Every politician, military Analyst as well as political pundits around World knows what is the real problem in Kashmir. Let you start from this; you should leave this integral part theory and make India understand the only solution ahead in Kashmir lies in plebiscite which they themselves have promised with the people of Jammu and Kashmir tell them this is the time to stop the killings and human right abuses. Try best to rein in men in uniform if you get the opportunity.
The another bigger responsibility on your shoulders is to release thousands of prisoners languishing in jails of India as well as in Jammu & Kashmir including Mohammad Qasim Faktoo, Masrat Aalam, Dr Shafi Shariati and all others. You should tell India and its policy makers that there is a limit to detaining someone under PSA. You can have maximum six months and one time more. According to Indian Supreme Courts judgment you cannot detain anyone again and again on the same charge. If you have done that there should be fresh charges against him. But this judgment has been put in dustbin when it comes to Jammu and Kashmirs political prisoners. Your partly (PDP) while being in opposition in National Conference era presented a bill for repeal of draconian law of PSA, I hope as you are now CM of same state you will abolish it as soon as possible And also Free those who are behind bars because of this draconian Law.
Another main problem is Unemployment. Our state has a population of more than 1 cr 25 lakh of which more than 60% are youth and among them more than 8 lakh youth are unemployed. Industries which utilize Jammu & Kashmirs natural economic opportunities like water, agriculture, horticulture and tourism could be part of solutions to this problem. Private industries and investors from outside the state whose investments will be guaranteed by the government are also options which can be considered. Providing more benefits, subsidies and long term loans by JKEDI will also be fruitful.
People also believe that PDP in coalition with Congress in past have a role in selling our resources especially water resources. Power projects should be taken back from NHPC, as you (PDP) have promised before and after the elections, that you will not let exploitation of natural resources of J&K by foreign companies.
During the Late Mufti Sayeeds era, we saw a rise in communal incidents in Jammu province which particularly targeted Kashmiris and Muslims an innocent truck driver Zahid lost his life in Udhampur we hope that your government will rein in such communal forces in Jammu so that such events wont be repeated in future. Kashmiris can be secure anywhere else only when they are secure in their own state.
Thousands of Kanals of land which belongs to the state, people of Jammu & Kashmir particularly to the people of Kashmir has been grabbed by the Indian forces, land-mafias including politicians and bureaucrats. This land is the property of the people of Jammu & Kashmir and it could be given to those who are real owners, also to the poor people or it could be used as playgrounds for the youth.
Recently the communal forces belonging to the Sang Pariwaar have got active in the state these elements are hell bent to disturb the communal harmony of J&K. The culprits who attacked Gujjars in samba as well as those who attacked AIP supreme Er Rasheed in Pir-Panchal region are still roaming free.
Kashmiri students feel insecure in India due to unfortunate events in the recent past, particularly in Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab. Also the issues of their dues on the basis of PM Scholarship have ruined the career of some students. There is an urgent need to create a helpline for Kashmiri students studying outside Kashmir in different cities of India. India should enhance harmony and increase the levels of understanding.
And also the ban on Kashmir University Students Union KUSU should be lifted as your leaders have promised with the students of KU before 2014 elections.
As the second anniversary of 2014 September floods is nearby but rehabilitation of flood victims including business persons is nowhere people are struggling and economy is in shatters the affected people are watching you with great expectations.
Since you lost your father you might have visited his grave near many times and are free to visit whenever you wish. Think about Galib Guru son of Shaheed Afzal Guru who cant visit his fathers grave due to reasons of which everybody is well aware and same is the case with the family members of Shaheed Maqbool Bhat. Bring Afzals and Maqbools body and handover them to their respective families, also relatives, nears and dears are waiting for the people who are disappeared have high hopes on you, it is time to prove yourself.
Lastly, for the sake of brighter politics in Kashmir do not promote dynastical rule as it is a big cancer.
Hope you take these paradigms into consideration for the betterment of Jammu and Kashmir and let peace and prosperity come back to Kashmir, free and alive without the barbed wires and barrels of gun.
Yours Truly
SYED TAJAMUL IMRAN
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