Amid turmoil and uncertainty in Jammu and Kashmir, all parties in the state yesterday decided to remain together and stand united in their struggle for safeguarding the state’s “identity, autonomy and special status”. The all-party meeting, presided by National Conference chairman Farooq Abdullah in presence of People’s Democratic Party chief and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, decided that “modification and abrogation of Articles 35A and 370, unconstitutional delimitation or trifurcation of the state would be an aggression against the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh” and they will fight against it.
Leaders from the PDP, the National Conference, the Congress, and the Peoples’ Movement led by Shah Faesal were present at the all-party meeting.
The meeting comes amid a tense situation triggered by massive deployment of security forces, cancellation of the Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage, and forced removal of tourists and others from the Kashmir Valley over fears of terror attacks. The call also comes amid concerns the increased security is part of the central government’s plan to deal with the fallout of withdrawing the state’s special status.
In New Delhi, Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday presided over a high-level security meeting.
The meeting was attended by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Intelligence Bureau chief Arvind Kumar, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief Samant Kumar Goel and senior Home Ministry officials.
Additional Secretary (Jammu and Kashmir Division) Gyanesh Kumar separately briefed the Shah about the situation in the Valley.
Sources said the minister discussed the internal security as well as the situation in Kashmir.
Also yesterday, the Kashmir unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) asked people not to believe rumours as the top leadership of the party would not take any decision that would not be pro-people as far as Jammu and Kashmir was concerned.
State BJP leader Altaf Thakur said that local political parties were trying to spread panic among the people to remain relevant after they had lost all the support of the people at the ground level in the state.
“The leaders of these parties are neck-deep in corruption and in order to shift public focus from their misdeeds, they are posing to be the champions of the people of Kashmir.
“The frustration of such elements shows clearly from their statements and speeches,” Thakur said.
He added that the fear psychosis is actually affecting them, and not the people.
In Patna, Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD) chief Sharad Yadav warned the government against playing with Articles 370 and 35A as it was not good for the country’s unity.
Insisting that the government was deploying additional security forces in the state to present an artificial threat, Yadav said: “The central government’s move to play with Articles 370 and 35A in J&K is dangerous, it is not good for the country.”
The veteran socialist leader said Articles 370 and 35A were part of the promises made to the state “by our leaders who fought for the country’s independence.”
“But the government is doing everything to threaten the unity of the country, without listening to the genuine grievances of the people of J&K,” he said.
Residents stand in a queue at a petrol station in Srinagar yesterday.
