SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) president Dr Farooq Abdullah on Sunday urged the Union Government to take what he described as meaningful steps to address growing alienation and distrust among people in Jammu and Kashmir, while reiterating his party’s demand for restoration of the region’s special status and statehood.
In a statement, Abdullah said that although elections had been held in Jammu and Kashmir, the elected government had not been vested with full powers even after two years, a situation he termed contrary to democratic and constitutional principles.
The former chief minister criticised the Centre’s August 5, 2019 decisions, which revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and reorganised the erstwhile state into two Union Territories. He alleged that the move was a mistake and said the Union Government should reverse it in the interest of the country’s unity, integrity and democratic system.
Abdullah asserted that the Centre would eventually have to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s special position and said the National Conference would continue its political campaign for the restoration of constitutional and democratic rights. He said the party would raise the issue in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Parliament and other appropriate forums.
Expressing concern over the continuation of the Union Territory system, Abdullah claimed that the arrangement had limited the powers of the elected government and created obstacles in addressing public grievances and developmental issues.
He said the National Conference’s demand for restoration of statehood was aimed at enabling the government to function more effectively and address the challenges faced by people. However, he added that the demand for statehood did not replace the party’s long-standing demand for restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.
“Our party will continue to struggle for the restoration of the constitutional rights that the people of Jammu and Kashmir enjoyed under the Constitution of India,” Abdullah said.
The NC leader also said that despite what he described as administrative constraints, the present government was working to improve public services, strengthen development infrastructure and provide relief to people. He said National Conference legislators were actively engaging with residents in their constituencies and taking up local issues.
Abdullah maintained that safeguarding the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir remained the party’s foremost priority.
