New Delhi: The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a strongly worded statement in its monthly newsletter, saying that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are increasingly being treated as occupied rather than as citizens. Specifically, the party has stated that people are grieving over the Supreme Court’s recent 370 verdict and reeling from lengthy powercuts but with the discovery of lithium reserves in Kashmir, “a feeling of doom has gripped the region”.
“As Indian companies gear up to bid for the treasure trove of Kashmir’s lithium mines, a feeling of doom has gripped the region. If mining contracts are given to outsiders, limitless mining will inevitably damage the ecology and economy, but not before displacing local populations. The extraction of lithium not only contaminates fresh water sources, but its harmful toxins also leach into fertile lands, making them unsuitable for agriculture. And after causing all this damage, the economic benefits will go to outsiders,” the party has said. The statement comes soon after the Supreme Court’s decision that ruled the Union government’s reading down of Article 370 as constitutionally valid. –Agencies
