Opposition PDP in Jammu and Kashmir today held the ruling National Conference responsible for "exploitation and neglect" of Srinagar, which it claimed has led the city to be declared as one of the most threatened heritage sites in the world.
"Though Srinagar has potential to become the heritage tourism capital of South Asia, given its rich and diverse cultural past, NC's exploitation and neglect of the capital city has led it to be declared as one of the most threatened heritage sites," PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said here.
Mufti was apparently referring to the watch list of 100 most endangered sites across the world for 2008 by the New York based World Monuments Fund (WMF).
The list, which intended to call international attention to the challenges facing cultural heritage sites, also included Srinagar. Addressing party workers, the PDP leader alleged that NC had been "exploiting" the people of Srinagar for its political survival but has always taken the summer capital for granted.
"That is why even while being one of the most prominent historical cities of the world, Srinagar ranks perhaps the lowest in development index," she claimed.
{{/usCountry}}"That is why even while being one of the most prominent historical cities of the world, Srinagar ranks perhaps the lowest in development index," she claimed.
{{/usCountry}}Mufti said it was a "shame" that in spite of claiming to represent the city politically for decades, NC has "failed" even in providing basic amenities to its population.
She alleged that the "worst kind" of repression has been let loose on the people of the city with its youth facing the major brunt.
Instead of attending to the grave crisis of unemployment, the NC-led government is adopting more and more draconian methods to crush people's voice against injustice, Mufti alleged.