Srinagar: The people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) continue to face severe hardships under the Indian Army’s rule, challenging the narrative of development and improvement promoted by the BJP government. Despite promises of progress following significant political changes, residents report a decline in basic services and living conditions, with many forced to migrate or accept menial jobs due to the lack of local employment opportunities.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the Modi government’s revocation of Article 370 in 2019, which was intended to foster development, has not improved the lives of Kashmiris as promised. Instead, the region has seen a reduction in autonomy and a stark decrease in employment opportunities, affecting even the highly educated. A special video featuring Kashmiri youth underscores the adverse impacts of these political decisions, highlighting the loss of regional legislative powers and shrinking job prospects.
The report further details the plight of a village in Budgam, where residents earn between 5,000 and 6,000 Indian Rupees per month through manual labor. The village lacks basic amenities such as electricity, water, and gas, and healthcare facilities are virtually non-existent, requiring a two-hour journey to Srinagar for medical treatment. The only primary school in the village is also inadequately equipped, reflecting a broader neglect of education in the area.
The pervasive sense of abandonment felt by the villagers exemplifies the broader disillusionment among the residents of IIOJK, who refute the official government narrative of development and governance improvements since the abrogation of Article 370.