Jammu, Omar Abdullah, Vice President of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, criticized the Modi-led Indian government for what he termed as “anti-people policies” in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

According to a news release by Kashmir Media Service, during a one-day delegate session at Surankote in Poonch, Abdullah commented on the stark contrast between India’s global representation as a stronghold of democracy and its actions in Jammu and Kashmir. He remarked that despite India’s self-proclamation as a leading democratic nation on the world stage, this very democratic principle seems to elude Jammu and Kashmir.

Abdullah expressed concerns over the current state of democracy in the occupied region. He emphasized that Jammu and Kashmir is going through one of its darkest periods due to the lack of a democratic governing body. “It’s been close to a decade since the last Assembly elections took place in 2014. The yearning for a reinstatement of democratic processes is palpable among the Kashmiri populace. However, those in power seem to be turning a blind eye to the seriousness of the current state of affairs,” Abdullah stated.

Furthermore, Abdullah pointed to specific grievances arising from the current bureaucratic framework, highlighting challenges faced by the public such as increased electricity bills, rising toll taxes, inflation, and restricted ration supplies.