KNB News Desk
Srinagar 24 June (KNB): In the first major political exercise after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, the regional political party leaders raised the issue of restoration of statehood of Jammu and Kashmir during the meeting in New Delhi on Thursday.
Fourteen Jammu and Kashmir’s mainstream political leaders attended the meeting chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the afternoon.
After leaving the meeting, several Political Party leaders revealed that the majority of them raised the issue regarding the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir.
While talking to the media, Indian National Congress’s Ghulam Nabi Azad said that from their side, 5 demands were put forth in-front of PM Modi.
The Major five demands raised by the Congress were statehood should be restored soon, assembly elections should be conducted quickly, the Centre should guarantee lands and jobs for the people of J&K, Kashmiri Pandits living outside the Union Territory should be rehabilitated soon and the political prisoners, who have been detained prior and post August 5 decision should be released immediately.
Peoples Democratic Party’s Leader and Former Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti raised the issue of restoring Article 370 in the meeting and emphasised that the people of J&K will struggle constitutionally and legally to fight for the Article.
“People of J&K did not accept the abrogation of article 370 which was removed unconstitutionally, illegally and immorally,” said Mehbooba to Centre.
During the meeting Mehbooba also complimented India for starting dialogue with Pakistan, which has resulted in the ceasefire so far. She also apprised the PM about the resumption of trade and to start talks with Pakistan on which lots of people’s employment is dependent.
She also said that people of the Valley are not able to breathe, Journalists are being harassed, which should be stopped forthwith. She also emphasised on the releasing of political prisoners during the meeting.
Former Chief Minister, National Conference, Omar Abdullah told the media that the party demanded full restoration of statehood and J&K Cadre.
Regarding the delimitation process discussions in the meeting, Omar Abdullah said that they are suspicious.
He further said that this single meeting has not brought them together with the Centre but in future more meetings will take place.
Peoples Conference’s Sajad Lone told the media that emotional bonding prevailed during the meeting.
He further did not reveal the particular discussions that took place inside the residence of the Prime Minister.
However, PC’s Muzafar Beig confirmed that the majority of the regional party leaders demanded restoration of statehood of Jammu and Kashmir.
He further said that it hurt how Article 370 was abrogated but now the case is in Supreme Court of India.
Apni Party leader, Altaf Bukhari said that a positive atmosphere prevailed during the meeting.
He said that during it was assured that after the completion of delimitation, assembly election process would be started in J&K.
“PM Modi listened to all the issues put forth by the regional party leaders of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said, adding that the meeting brings good news for the people of the UT.
The meeting started around 3 Pm at the residence of PM Narendra Modi in the National Capital New Delhi. The Meeting lasted around 3 hours and 30 minutes.
After the meeting concluded, Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted, “We are committed to ensure all round development of J&K.”
He said, “The future of Jammu and Kashmir was discussed and the delimitation exercise and peaceful elections are important milestones in restoring statehood as promised in parliament.”
Pertinent to mention that along PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Lieutenant Governor of J&K Manoj Sinha and other officials were part of the meet, where as from the 8 Regional Political Parties of J&K; National Conference’s (NC) Omar Abdullah and Farooq Abdullah; Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Mehbooba Mufti; Indian National Congress’s (INC) Ghulam Nabi Azad, G A Mir and Tara Chand; Apni Party’s Altaf Bukhari; Peoples Conference’s (PC) Sajad Lone and Muzafar Beigh; Communist Party of India’s (Marxist) Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami; JK National Panthers Party’s Bhim Singh; Bharatiya Janata Party’s Ravinder Raina, Nirmal Singh and Kavinder Gupta attended the meeting. (KNB)