Kashmiri officers reduced to second-class citizens: JKPCC Chief Tariq Karra

Says dual control in J&K sparks chaos and public suffering

Srinagar, Dec 16: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Chief Tariq Hamid Karra on Sunday expressed concern over the treatment of local officers, stating they are being treated as second-class citizens under the current administrative setup.
Addressing the media, Karra highlighted the prevailing confusion among officials regarding their reporting structure. “They don’t know whether they are under the elected government or the Lieutenant Governor’s control. This confusion and mental torture are affecting the people of J&K,” he said.
Karra accused the government of attempting to create unrest in the region and raised apprehensions about the possibility of Jammu and Kashmir being granted a “crippled statehood.” He said, “Nobody understands what bills they are bringing. Even the departments don’t know whether they come under the local government or the LG administration.”
He further lamented the dual administrative control, which he said is taking a heavy toll on the general public. “I have been saying this for a long time: dual control in Jammu and Kashmir is creating problems for the people, and this needs to end,” Karra added.
The JKPCC Chief also criticized the frequent hikes in electricity tariffs, noting, “After every three months, there is a hike in electricity bills, and nobody knows who is behind it or who is controlling the department. This seems deliberate, and I fear it could lead to unrest.”
Reiterating the Congress party’s commitment to the restoration of statehood, Karra said, “Congress stands firm for the restoration of statehood in Kashmir. Rahul Gandhi has been advocating for the people of the region at both local and national levels.”