Amendments another assault on people's rights: Tarigami

Shopian, July 14: Senior CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami on Sunday said that the recent amendments by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs ( MHA) to the Reorganisation Act 2019 represent another assault on the constitutional rights of people of Jammu and Kashmir.  “LG is not an elected representative, but he has been empowered by the directive issued by MHA, which we believe is another assault on the constitutional rights of people of J &K, ” Tarigami told reporters in Keegam village of south Kashmir’s Shopian district.

He said that the recent amendments had further enhanced the powers of Lieutenant Governor while disempowering the elected assembly. “These amendments will significantly undermine the powers of an elected government and the new cabinet will have limited powers. It will now be within the jurisdiction of LG to even transfer an officer,” said Tarigami.

He appealed to all political parties to unitedly oppose the Union government’s directive and demand its revocation. “All political parties in both Jammu and Kashmir should sink their differences to put up a joint fight against such directive ”, Tarigami said. He called on civil society members, journalists and other sections of the society to raise a united voice for their rights , better future and survival.

Tarigami said that following the abrogation of article 2019, both the Prime Minister and Home Minister on several times said that the assembly polls would be conducted and statehood restored. “However, it is the only region where there is no elected government since 2018”, he added.

Tarigami also castigated the government for not informing the parliament and the people about the crucial issues like unemployment and the number of people booked under UAPA and other draconian laws.