Anantnag, Dec 21: Iltija Mufti, a leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), on Sunday criticized the Jammu and Kashmir government, headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, for depriving the residents of the Union Territory of their primary means of livelihood.
Addressing reporters at the Liver village panchayat in Anantnag, Iltija Mufti voiced opposition to the proposed railway line that would traverse the orchards and expressed her concerns regarding the adverse effects on local livelihoods.
“The people here are not against development. Nonetheless, development that jeopardizes their livelihood is unacceptable. The losses here outweigh the benefits. We are situated at a point where there is a forest behind us and orchards in front of us,” the PDP leader stated.
Iltija Mufti shared her experience of meeting an 80-year-old widow with only 1-2 kanals of land. “Horticulture is the main source of income in this area. Many residents have taken loans to grow apple and walnut trees. If you strip them of their livelihoods, where will these individuals go, and what will they do?” she criticized the National Conference government.
She brought attention to the issue of unemployment in Jammu and Kashmir, saying, “We are conscious of the high unemployment rates in this region. There are no private sector opportunities, and not everyone can secure a government job.”
“Horticulture is their essential source of income, and you are taking that away from them,” she claimed.
Expressing her concerns about the region’s environmental sensitivity, Iltija Mufti stated, “We are fully aware of the environmental and ecological fragility in Jammu and Kashmir. We refuse to accept development that harms our environment. Thus, we reject the state government’s proposed railway line through Liver. We are here to protest against it.”
“We will never, under any circumstances, accept a railway line that endangers the livelihoods of the people,” she declared, as PDP supporters chanted, “Take back the railway project.” (Agencies)
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