J&K leaders hold all party meet

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir’s mainstream parties on Sunday warned the Centre that abrogation and even modification of Articles 35A and 370 of the Constitution and  delimitation or trifurcation of the state would be seen as an “aggression” against its people.

The leaders and representatives of these parties met at the residence of former chief minister and National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah here to deliberate upon the prevailing situation in the aftermath of massive deployment of security forces and series of contingency orders issued by the authorities including asking tourists and Amarnath pilgrims to return home.

According to a statement, the meeting unanimously resolved that all the parties would be united in their resolve to protect and defend identity, autonomy and special status of the J&K against all “attacks and onslaughts”.

Named as “Gupkar Declaration”, the statement said that the participating parties decided to seek audience apart from President and Prime Minister with the leaders of various political parties of the country to apprise them of the current situation in J&K and make an appeal to them to safeguard the legitimate interests of the people of state with regard constitutional guarantees given to it.

“They will also apprise them of the unwholesome consequences bound to follow the unconstitutional violation of these guarantees,” it said. It added that the meeting also resolved to remain together and stand united in their struggle for safeguarding identity autonomy and special status of the state.

Those others who attended the meeting include People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, National Conference vice-president and former chief minister Omar Abdullah, PDP patron Muzaffar Hussain Baig, People’s Conference chairman Sajad Gani Lone, Shia cleric and politician Imran Reza Ansari, Congress leader Taj Mohiuddin, PDP general secretary Abdul Rehman Veeri, CPI(M) leader Muham-mad Yousuf Tarigami, J&K Peoples’ Movement leader Shah Faesal, Awami National Confer-ence leader Muzaffar Shah and others.
 
Earlier while speaking to reporters PDP leader Mufti who had convened the meeting said, “We had made an effort to tell the people of this country and government what the consequences could be if they toy with Articles 35A and 370. We made an appeal too, but no assurance has been given yet from the Centre. They are not bothered to say that everything will be alright.”

She said that the meeting was to be held at a hotel but the police issued an advisory to all hotels in Srinagar not to let political parties hold any meeting in their premises.