Committed to democratic process in J&K: Modi

Assembly elections after the delimitation process

New Delhi, June 24 (IANS): In the first all-party meeting involving leaders from Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that the Centre is fully committed to the democratic process in J&K, and holding Assembly elections in the region just like the successful conduct of the District Development Council (DDC) polls is a priority.

Delimitation, roadmap for Assembly polls, restoration of statehood and bringing back Kashmiri Pandits were the key issues discussed in the crucial all-party meeting on Jammu and Kashmir that was chaired by Prime Minister Modi and involved leaders from different political parties in J&K.

The meeting lasted for more than three-and-a-half hours with nobody raising cross-border issues, sources said.

In the first such meeting held nearly two years after the erstwhile state of J&K lost its special status and was bifurcated into two Union Territories -- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh -- the Prime Minister heard all the suggestions and inputs put forward by the participants and expressed happiness over everyone sharing their frank and honest views.

It was an open discussion which revolved around building a better future for Kashmir with the main focus on strengthening the democratic process in J&K.

Restoration of statehood in Jammu and Kashmir, Assembly elections, domicile rules, bringing back Kashmir Pandits and release of political prisoners were among the five key demands raised by the Congress, senior party leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said after the marathon meeting.

The President of Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party, Altaf Bukhari, said that each speaker was heard patiently by the Prime Minister and the major discussions were related to the delimitation process and elections in the erstwhile state.

It was proposed that the elections could take place soon after the delimitation process, to which most of participants agreed. Delimitation is a prerequisite for conducting Assembly polls -- something which the authorities and the political class are looking forward to as they seek to kick the political process into a higher gear, an objective which can speed up the development process in J&K.

The Prime Minister emphasised the need to strengthen democracy at the grassroots level and work together with the people of Jammu and Kashmir to ensure their upliftment.

He expressed happiness on the commitment to the Constitution and democracy espoused by all the participants and said that even one death in J&K is painful and “it is our collective duty to protect our younger generation”.

Modi further stressed that “we need to give opportunities to the youth in Jammu and Kashmir and they will give back lots to our country”.

The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the acceleration of development in J&K and said that it is creating new hope and aspirations among the people.

He further said that when people experience corruption-free governance, it inspires trust among them to extend their cooperation to the administration, something which is visible in Jammu and Kashmir today.

Modi said that there would be political differences, but everyone should work for the national interest to benefit the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

He stressed that an atmosphere of safety and security needs to be ensured for all sections of society in Jammu and Kashmir, adding that he wants to remove the ‘Dilli ki Duri’ as well as ‘Dil Ki Duri’.

“We are committed to ensure all round development of J&K. 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,” Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted after the meeting.

Mehbooba Mufti demands 
restoration of Article 370

New Delhi, June 24 (IANS): Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday demanded restoration of statehood and Article 370 in the Valley, constitutionally and legally.

Coming out of the all-party meeting called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she said that she had told the Prime Minister that Article 370 was abrogated unconstitutionally and without taking the local government into confidence. “It was done illegally. It was a 70-year-old BJP agenda and they fulfilled it,” she said.

Mufti added that she conveyed to the Prime Minister that if they wanted to abrogate Article 370, they should have done it keeping people in the loop.

Since abrogation of Article 370, there is fear among the people as law enforcement agencies are putting common people behind bars on mere suspicion.

She demanded compensation to the people who suffered due to the lockdown after Article 370 abrogation.

The former chief minister said that India should also start engagement with Pakistan as they did to stop ceasefire violations. “The government should start talks with Pakistan to initiate business at the borders,” she said.

Congress puts forth 5 demands
After the Prime Minister’s meet on Jammu and Kashmir, the Congress said that it has put forward five demands including restoration of statehood.

Former J&K Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad speaking to reporters at his residence said, “We have made five demands including grant of full statehood, conduct of assembly elections to restore democracy, release of political prisoners and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits and domicile rules.” He said that Home Minister Amit Shah said that the government is committed to statehood. 
 

Restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood 
must to rebuild trust: Farooq Abdullah urges PM

New Delhi, June 24 (PTI): National Conference president and former chief minister Farooq Abdullah on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to work towards building trust in Jammu and Kashmir by ensuring that its full statehood is restored.

Talking to PTI immediately after a crucial meeting chaired by the prime minister here, Abdullah said his National Conference would continue to challenge through legal and constitutional means the abrogation of special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution.

“There is a loss of trust which needs to be restored immediately and for that, to begin with, the Centre should work for restoration of complete statehood to Jammu and Kashmir,” Abdullah, who is a Lok Sabha member, said.

“I conveyed to the prime minister that the statehood means reverting even the IAS and IPS cadres of Jammu and Kashmir. The state has to be in totality,” he said after the meeting that lasted for over three hours.

The NC chief said it was vital for the Centre to restore the identity of Jammu and Kashmir at the earliest so that other democratic exercises could be carried forward.