J&K leaders meeting with PM Narendra Modi ends, restoration of statehood asked Ghulam N. Azad
This was a crucial meet, first since stripping of the special status of J&K and its bifurcation into two Union Territories in 2019, towards the return of elected representatives and the holding of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
Image Courtesy: The IndianExpress
After more than three-hour-long meeting between Jammu and Kashmir political leaders and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said five demands, granting of statehood, conducting the Assembly elections to restore the democracy, rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits in Jammu and Kashmir, release of all political detainees, who were detained earlier and that on domicile rules, were put forward by Congress Leader Ghulam Nabi Azad during their talks with the PM on Thursday.
Terming the meeting “cordial” and “positive”, People’s Conference leader Muzzafar Hussain Baig asked PM Modi to assure that he will do everything to make Jammu and Kashmir a zone of peace rather than a conflict. All the leaders demanded statehood to which PM Modi told, ” The delimitation process should conclude first and then other issues will be addressed…” He added, “Meeting between the leaders of Jammu and Kashmir and PM Modi was a satisfactory meeting..There was complete unanimity for restoring peace in Jammu and Kashmir….” Baig told.
Ahead of the meeting, Jammu and Kashmir Congress President Ghulam Ahmad Mir said they would raise the issue of statehood at the all-party meet convened by PM Narendra Modi. “People in the state are shocked after the developments in 2019….,” He also added, “We will wait for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s agenda for today’s meeting and respond accordingly.”
Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir are on high alert as PM Narendra Modi met the leaders of the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration a coalition of mainstream parties in J&K, in New Delhi today.
