Srinagar, Sep 25: National Conference on Tuesday vowed to safeguard the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, even as the party also expressed serious concern over the deteriorating security situation in the state.
During the party’s Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting which continued for the second day here today with party president Dr. Farooq Abdullah in chair, National Conference “unanimously” passed five resolutions, a party press release said.
NC vice-president Omar Abdullah, general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar, additional general secretary Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, provincial presidents Nasir Aslam Wani, Devendra Singh Rana and senior leaders including special invitees from different corners of the state were present in the meeting, the press release informed.
Giving details of the meeting it said party resolved that NC stands for the unity, integrity and the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and shall continue to strive to defend its secular character.
“National Conference shall continue to work in this direction and vehemently defeat the nefarious designs of the forces who are hell- bent on weakening the secular credentials of the state of Jammu & Kashmir.”
Regretting that the cancellation of the meeting between the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan was unfortunate, NC resolved that India and Pakistan must restart a sustained and uninterrupted dialogue process to find a solution to all disputes including the Kashmir problem.
“We are of the firm opinion that continuation of the dialogue between two countries is the only way available to settle all disputes between two countries and is also in the larger interest of people of the sub-continent.”
The party also reiterated its stand and commitment to defend and protect Article 370 and Article 35-A of the Constitution of India. “The protection and defence of these constitutional provisions and restoration of autonomy in J&K is the bedrock of National Conference’s policy and political agenda. This is essential to protect the distinct identity of the state and its people. We believe this is the right time for Government of India to consider the autonomy resolution passed by the state legislature,” NC said, adding it will be a serious and meaningful effort by the Government of India to convert the Independence Day commitment of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he committed that neither bullets nor abuse is the way forward, — “it is by embracing Kashmiris that the solution to the Kashmir problem will be found.”
The party also said that after 2014 there has been a marked and worrisome deterioration in the security scenario across the state.
“The sanctity of life in the state, whether it is in the number of educated employed youngsters who have taken up arms or the families of police personnel and civilians who are being targeted has been greatly eroded.
“The root cause of the alienation and anger that has been visible since 2014 is the opportunistic alliance of the PDP with the BJP. It was a betrayal of the mandate of the people who voted in 2014 Assembly elections,” NC said, adding that there is no sense of security on the ground.
“The way in which excessive use of force and human rights violations are being condoned coupled with mass arrest of youngsters, night raids across the state exposes the tall claims of the state and the central government.
“In such an atmosphere civilians, police personnel are being targeted in most gruesome ways. Such incidents of violence against the families of civilians or police personnel are not only worrisome, but also put a big question mark over the security apparatus operational in the state,” NC said.
It said the party’s Working Committee resolves that the Central government and the Governor administration should immediately take steps to restore a sense of security in the state.
“A zero tolerance policy for human rights violations must be reiterated and implemented in letter and spirit. The standard operating procedures that have been put in place must also be implemented without any relaxation.”
NC also placed on record its deep concern at the sharp rise of the prices of essential commodities especially petrol, diesel, LPG cylinders, adding that this price hike is placing an unbearable burden on the people.
“We appeal to the government to take emergent steps to immediately reverse this trend,” NC resolution read.
