The Jammu & Kashmir National Panthers Party today advocated for reorganisation of the state on basis of cultural, linguistic and geographical identity to strengthen its federal structure, and setting up of three separate Assemblies for Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions.
"We stand for strengthening the federal structure of Jammu and Kashmir by reorganising the state on the basis of cultural, linguistic and geographical identity... So that every region grows on the foundation of its culture and history," JKNPP chief Bhim Singh said while releasing the party's manifesto for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls here today.
"There shall be a federal state of Jammu and Kashmir with three provincial Assemblies for each region so that each region may enjoy absolute political power to ensure its development," he said.
The party also sought referendum in Gilgit-Baltistan region and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir so that the residents of these areas could make their final choice whether they would like to stay under the occupation of Pakistani Army.
Singh said his party was dedicated to facilitate the safe return of Kashmiri Pandits. "Today Kashmiri Pandits have been living in inhuman, unhygienic and undignified conditions in camps... We stand for safe, secured, honourable return and rehabilitation of all Kashmiri Pandit migrants," he said.
The JKNPP leader said the situation of Jammu migrants who were forced out of their homes in Rajouri, Poonch, Udhampur, Reasi and Doda districts by terrorists during the militancy period "is pathetic and violates human rights".
Jammu also has about 85,000 refugees from Pakistan. "They have been living in Jammu region as stateless human beings with no human, civil or political rights. This is the time that this problem is addressed," he said.
"We have been fighting for all those who have been thrown in jails for political reasons or without trial. We fought for each victim cutting across party, organisational, national and international boundaries. Our fight is for general amnesty to all political prisoners," he said.
He said his party was dedicated to improve conditions of jails, and added there should be no detention without trial and the government should grant amnesty to all political prisoners languishing in jails across the state.
