rki.news
Altaf Hamid Rao

MIRPUR (AJK), February 24 — In Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), National Conference (NC) Indian Parliament member Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan has demanded the immediate restoration of statehood to the region, describing it as the fundamental right of its people, according to a report received Tuesday across the Line of Control (LoC).
Speaking to media in IIOJK late Monday, the NC leader also urged the return of IIOJK-based power projects currently operated by India’s state-run National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC). Ramzan emphasized that the region has the capacity to generate 25,000 MW of power but lacks investment as resources remain under Indian control. “Statehood must be restored to Jammu and Kashmir at the earliest. It is not just a demand; it is our right,” he said.
He recalled assurances given by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Lok Sabha, urging the government to honor its commitment. Ramzan also demanded the safety of Kashmiri students and traders residing in various Indian states for studies and business, strongly condemning harassment faced by Kashmiris both within and outside IIOJK. He has reportedly written to the chief ministers of concerned Indian states regarding these issues.
On the power projects, he stressed that NHPC has earned substantial profits from projects in IIOJK, which should be handed over to the IIOJK administration. “The older, profit-making projects must be returned to the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.
The NC MP reiterated that the ultimate solution to the region’s challenges lies in restoring IIOJK’s statehood and giving its people full control over their natural resources and development projects.