Jammu and Kashmir: The all-party meet in Jammu and Kashmir held at former Chief Minister and National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah’s residence called for a united resolve to defend the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The meeting comes after Indian security forces beefed up its presence in the state.
After the meeting Farooq Abdullah said, “It was unanimously decided that all the parties will be united in their resolve to protect & defend identity, autonomy and the special status of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, against all attacks, whatsoever.”
They also decided to meet the President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apprise them about the consequences if Article 370 and 35A is scrapped.
After the meeting the PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti held a candle light march with her party members to press the government of India to allay fears in the Valley.
The meeting was also attended by Sajad Lone, Shah Faesal, and other politicians. The all-party meeting is a direct challenge to Indian sovereignty and an attempt to stop the Central government in dealing with the menace of terrorism in the valley.
The Kashmiri leaders fear that they could lose their clout over the people once the articles are abrogated. The articles have been a hindrance to the development of the State and has kept the Kashmiri population in a state of misery.
Central government’s decision to increase the number of troops in the valley was in response to intelligence inputs about a large scale terror attacks in and around the independence day that falls on 15 August.
