Srinagar: National Conference (NC) on Friday reaffirmed its commitment to special status and demanded immediate restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir after a two-day working committee meeting held at its party headquarters in Srinagar.
The meeting which was chaired by party president Dr Farooq Abdullah and was attended by NC vice-president and chief minister Omar Abdullah and other senior leaders unanimously passed seven resolutions wherein the participants condemned the Delhi Red Fort blast and subsequent explosion at Nowgam Police Station in Srinagar.
The Working Committee unanimously reaffirmed its “unwavering commitment” to the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. The Committee reiterated that this issue is central to the aspirations and dignity of the people and must be addressed without further delay. The party will continue its “principled fight for its full restoration”.
The Working Committee urged the Government of India to immediately restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, as promised on the floor of Parliament, repeatedly affirmed in the public domain, and noted by the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court.
The Working Committee expressed serious concern and unequivocally condemned the terror attack in Delhi. It extended heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. In a civilised society, violence has no place, and such heinous acts must be dealt with firmly and decisively, it said.
The Working Committee also expressed deep concern over the Nowgam blast and conveyed its condolences to the affected families. The Committee stated that the incident must be investigated at the highest level and responsibility fixed for any deviation from standard operating procedure.
The Working Committee expressed serious concern over the reports of harassment faced by students, traders, and residents of Jammu and Kashmir in different parts of the country. It strongly condemned their selective targeting in the aftermath of recent events.
The Committee emphasized that the people of Jammu and Kashmir cannot be stereotyped, and called upon all state governments to ensure the safety, dignity, and protection of the lives and property of Kashmiris and other residents of Jammu and Kashmir living or working across India. “Not every Kashmiri is a terrorist or a supporter of terror,” it said.
The Working Committee also reiterated the party’s commitment to fulfilling all promises made in its manifesto.
The Working Committee unanimously reaffirmed its full support to the government led by Omar Abdullah and urged it to continue “fulfilling the aspirations of the people and upholding their dignity”.
Pertinently, the ruling party’s two-day Working Committee meeting began on Thursday here and continued through Friday.
The meeting comes in the wake of the NC’s loss in the recent Budgam and Nagrota assembly bypolls, and amid the party’s ongoing differences with its Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar Aga Ruhullah Mehdi.
In a snub to the estranged MP, the NC did not invite Mehdi to the meeting of the Working Committee, of which he has been a permanent member since 2002.
According to the NC leader, Mehdi’s differences with the party and his criticism of the government also figured in the discussions.
