JAMMU Kashmir Awami Mutahida Mahaz released its Election Manifesto on November 21 in Srinagar. The Manifesto titled “Towards a democratic alternative platform” asserts that the people of Jammu & Kashmir are facing various stressful problems which have their roots in the political uncertainty and the presence of harsh anti-people laws and acts. The political rights of the people have been extremely limited while the administration is bereft of transparency and responsiveness. The ever increasing unemployment, price rise, rampant corruption; nepotism, delay of justice and violation of human rights have made the day-to-day life of the people almost a nightmare. The manifesto makes it clear that there is no military solution to the Kashmir issue and urges both India and Pakistan to show mature statesmanship and resolve the issue by sincere, sustained and meaningful dialogue. The first step towards the resolution of the problem is to restart the stalled dialogue unconditionally, the manifesto says. It also stands for the restoration of all the powers enjoyed by the state till 1952. The manifesto stresses on the unity of the state and the delegation of more and more political and financial powers to all the regions and sub- regions leaving no possibility for the domination of any region, because the sense of domination and discrimination helps the divisive forces to split people on regional, religious and linguistic basis. The manifesto promises full support for the complete rehabilitation of all those people who were forced to migrate from Pakistan occupied Kashmir in 1947. As far as Kashmiri migrants are concerned, the manifesto says that schemes framed for their return and rehabilitation should be revised and implemented in right earnest. Among other things the manifesto lays stress on resolving the various problems faced by youth of the state. It demands framing of a comprehensive employment policy, expansion of industrial sector and speedy filling up of vacant positions, besides regularisation of all the casual and contractual workers for addressing the problem of acute unemployment. Special attention to agriculture and horticulture sectors including the implementation of the much awaited crop insurance scheme; the revival of handicraft sector and the rejuvenation of tourist industry are also the highlights of the manifesto. It says the Mahaz will launch un-relented struggle for the transfer of all the NHPC owned hydro-electric power projects to the state. It also demands grant of ration to all the families according to the 2011 census at Rs 2 per kg. Implementation of labour laws and substantial increase in the pension of old, physical challenged and destitute citizens is also a priority of Awami Mutahida Mahaz, according to the manifesto. All the prisoners especially the youth, who are not involved in serious crimes, should be released and utmost care should be taken while dealing with the law and order situation. Public Safety Act, AFSPA and other such acts should be scraped at the earliest while the Chattergam like incidents should not be allowed to occur in future and the responsible security officials should be given exemplary punishment in order to restore the confidence of the people, enumerates the manifesto. The manifesto concludes by expressing a strong hope that the people of the state, who are looking for an alternative and change, will vote in favour of the Mahaz candidates who can launch a struggle for the creation of an alternative socio-political and economic system in the state which will, among other things strive for post flood re-construction, rehabilitation and will also make audacious efforts for the development of democracy and the protection of people’s rights. Awami Mutahida Mahaz has appealed all the political, social and civil society organisations as well as the intelligentsia, academics and the youth to come forward and help in the formation and implementation of alternative policies and creation of an extensive democratic platform which can help people to come out of the present mess.