The All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC) has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to respect the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir by taking immediate steps to hold elections in the region.
President of AJKPC Anil Sharma emphasised during a press conference in Srinagar that the government must not test the patience J&K’s people.
He highlighted the long overdue Assembly elections, the expired terms of elected representatives in urban local bodies, and the impending completion of tenures for elected panches, sarpanches, and BDCs. Sharma stressed that depriving the people of J&K of their right to choose their representatives would be unjust.
“In a democracy, the electoral right of the people is irreplaceable,’’ he said. “Therefore, it is imperative that elections be declared promptly without further delay,” he added.
Sharma said during discussions with individuals from various segments of Kashmiri society, there was unanimous support for democracy, irrespective of their political affiliations.
He emphasised that the collective focus of Kashmir today is on democracy, development, and the aspiration for a brighter future, leaving no room for any form of violence.
"There is no one in J&K who supports the agenda of violence orchestrated by the neighbouring country with whom India shares a lengthy border," said Sharma.
The AJKPC president also commented on the improved security situation in Kashmir and the efforts of the Jammu and Kashmir police and central security agencies.
He credited the people of Kashmir, stating that without their support, security forces could not effectively combat militancy and terrorism in border areas. He urged the youth of Kashmir to participate in the electoral process, stressing the importance of their presence in selecting the most deserving candidates for Panchayat, Assembly, and Lok Sabha elections.
Other leaders of AJKPC reiterated the organisation's demand for simultaneous Lok Sabha, Assembly, and Panchayat elections in Jammu and Kashmir to streamline time and resources.
They also raised concerns about frequent power cuts in rural and remote areas of the Kashmir region, particularly during the harsh winter season.