The Working Committee of the ruling National Conference on Friday passed a series of key resolutions, reaffirming the party’s commitment to the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and demanding the immediate return of full statehood for the state.
The party called the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, “central to the aspirations and dignity of the people” which must be addressed without further delay. The party said that it will continue its principled fight for its full restoration.
“The Committee reiterated that this issue (restoration of special status) 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 resolution said.
The National Conference’s highest decision-making body concluded its two-day meeting today, unanimously passing seven resolutions.
Besides a resolution on the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, the Working Committee also urged the Government of India to immediately restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, as promised on the floor of Parliament.
The party’s Working Committee unequivocally condemned the bomb blast in Delhi and expressed serious concern over the terror attack.
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,” the resolution said.
The Working Committee also expressed deep concern over the Nowgam blast and said the incident must be probed at the highest level and responsibility fixed for any deviation from standard operating procedure.
The Working Committee also expressed serious concern over the reports of harassment faced by students, traders, and residents of Jammu and Kashmir in different parts of the country.
“The Committee emphasised 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,” the resolution said.
After the meeting, Party vice president and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah told reporters that the meeting also discussed the Budgam and Nagrota bypolls whose results were evaluated.
In a setback for the National Conference, the opposition PDP has wrested the Budgam seat from the ruling party, while the BJP retained the Nagrota seat.
On the issue of dual control in J&K, Abdullah said that the elected government want this confusion to be removed. “There are only two ways to remove this confusion … either you follow the letter and spirit of the J&K Reorganization Act which is not being done (or don’t).”
The chief minister asserted that his government was not “Going out of our domain. But there is intervention in our work.”
He said that his party would wish for “implementation of the J&K Reorganisation Act in letter and spirit … (and) respect for the separation of powers (between elected representatives and the unelected executive),” Omar said.
