Don’t tinker with spl status: Parties

Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 4

Cautioning the Centre against tinkering with the special status given to the state of Jammu and Kashmir, the all-party meet today resolved that any move to abrogate Articles 370 and 35A or trifurcation would be seen as aggression against Kashmir.

This was stated by the National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah after chairing the meeting, called to discuss the prevailing situation in the Valley. At the end of the meeting, a statement, termed Gupkar declaration, was released, which said all parties would be united in their resolve to protect the special statuts of J&K. The Valley has been on the edge for the past few days after New Delhi rushed additional forces to the state and told Amarnath pilgrims and tourists to leave Kashmir.

“It was unanimously resolved that all parties would be united in their resolve to be protect and defend the identity, autonomy and special status of the JK against all attacks and onslaughts whatsoever,” Abdullah told reporters after the meeting which was attended by former chief ministers Mehbooba Mufti, Omar Abdullah and PDP patron Muzaffar Beg, chairman Peoples Conference Sajad Gani and various senior leaders, including Taj Mohiuddin, Shah Faesal and MY Tarigami.

“That modification, abrogation of Articles 35A, 370, unconstitutional delimitation or trifurcation of the state would be an aggression against the people of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh,” Abdullah said. 

The APM delegation would also seek audience with the President, Prime Minister and leaders of other national parties in this regard.

“We will apprise them of the current situation and make an appeal to them to safeguard the legitimate interests of the people of the state with regard to constitutional guarantees given to the state in the Constitution of our 

country,” Abdullah said. “They will also apprise them of the unwholesome consequences bound to follow the unconstitutional violation of these guarantees.”