Deputy Chief Minister of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Surinder Chowdhary, has accused the Lieutenant Governor (LG) administration of centralising power and obstructing democratic functioning in the territory. According to Kashmir Media Service, speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Chowdhary said his security was downgraded and his motorcade withdrawn after he “spoke the truth” about maladministration. “I am not afraid of anyone. My security was curtailed just because I told the truth.

Even during elections, I was forced to manage private security — but I will continue to speak openly; no one can silence me,” he asserted. Chowdhary said key administrative files, including those related to business rules and the Advocate General’s office, were being withheld by the LG, paralysing governance. “Governance cannot function through anger or personal grudges,” he remarked, urging the LG to return the pending files. 

The Deputy CM also blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for creating a “complete mess” in occupied Jammu and Kashmir over the past eleven years. He said the people of Jammu were deeply frustrated and demanded the immediate restoration of statehood. “Whatever wrongs the BJP has committed during this period must be investigated,” he added. Referring to the recent Jammu Sainik Colony incident, where a woman was shot dead by an Indian armed man, Chowdhary questioned the LG’s control over the police and lack of accountability.

“If the police work directly under the LG, why has no action been taken against the officers responsible?” he asked. He further claimed that bureaucratic interference had stalled the promotions of several Superintending and Civil Engineers, alleging that “IAS officers are busy pleasing the LG instead of serving the people.” Chowdhary appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to unite for their democratic and constitutional rights.  

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)