Srinagar: A National Conference (NC) delegation led by its President Farooq Abdullah on Thursday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at New Delhi and asked him to let sub-judice matters be settled by the courts and other matters be settled by an elected government.
The meeting holds significance as it comes in the backdrop of rumours that the centre is mulling to abrogate Article 35 A after August 15. However, the rumours have been rejected by Governor Satya Pal Malik, who on Wednesday said that there were no plans at any level to abrogate Article 35-A.
Former J&K chief minister and NC Vice president Omar Abdullah was also a part of the delegation that briefed the Prime Minister about their assessment of the current situation in the state.
“I accompanied @JKNC_ President Dr Farooq Abdullah and MP Justice Masoodi to a meeting with Hon @PMOIndia this morning. During the course of the meeting we briefed Modi Sb about our assessment of the current situation in the state,” Mr Omar wrote on micro-blogging site twitter.
The NC Vice President said that the delegation requested him (PM) that no precipitous steps of any sort should be taken that may result in situation in the state, particularly the valley, worsening. “We specifically asked him to let sub-judice matters be settled by the courts & other matters be settled by an elected government,” he said.
He said the Dr Abdullah reminded Mr Modi that J&K has been without an elected government for well over a year now and requested him to take all necessary steps to facilitate the Election Commission to conduct assembly polls before the onset of winter.
“The meeting took place in a very cordial atmosphere & we are grateful to @narendramodi
Sb for meeting with us today,” he wrote.
Omar said we informed Prime minister about the increase of tourist arrival after several years and successful Amarnath pilgrimage.
He said NC has been maintaining that any ‘all party meeting’ would only follow on from the meeting with the PM. “Before calling senior leaders from other parties in J&K to discuss the current situation it’s important to try to understand from the Central Govt about their intentions for the state & also how they see the situation at the moment. This is what @JKNC_ is focused on,” Mr Omar had twitted on July 29.
People in Kashmir valley have been on the edge from last few days after 100 paramilitary companies have been sent to the valley, giving rise to speculation New Delhi might repeal Article 35-A of the Indian Constitution, which provides special rights to the state subjects.
Several orders given by different security agencies have further fueled the speculations in the valley, where people have resorted to panic buying essential commodities, fearing trouble after August 15.