Farooq Abdullah warns cenrre of a public uprisings far stronger than 2008 amarnath land row agitation

Srinagar/Aug,7: National Conference President and three time former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah Monday chaired a meeting of opposition parties in Srinagar in which he warned the Centre of an uprising “far stronger” than 2008 Amarnath land row if it repealed Article 35 A which confers special rights and privileges on permanent residents of the state.

Abdullah had called the meeting in wake of a petition filed by a non-governmental organisation seeking abrogation of the constitutional provision that defines special privileges enjoyed by permanent residents of the state in matters related to employment, acquisition of immovable property, settlements and scholarships.

“When it will come to that decision you will see this mass rising. Don’t forget when that Amaranth [land row] happened overnight people rose. [Abrogation of Article 35] would be far greater revolt and I wonder whether they [government] would be able to hold that,” said Abdullah while talking to reporters after the meeting at his Gupkar residence.

Abdullah said that their meeting was very important as people needed to understand that abrogation of article 35 A would affect all three regions – Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh – of the state.