CM likely to meet PM Modi
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Oct 23: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, today met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and discussed issues related to Jammu and Kashmir including restoration of Statehood.
The meeting lasted for about half an hour and Omar after the meeting said that it was a courtesy call during which he apprised the Union Home Minister about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and also discussed the issue of restoration of Statehood.
Omar’s visit follows the militant attack in the Gangangir area of Ganderbal district, where seven persons, including a Kashmiri doctor and six migrant workers were shot dead, just three days ago.
During his stay in Delhi, the Chief Minister is scheduled to meet the Central leadership, including an anticipated meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Omar is likely to hand over the resolution passed by his Cabinet on restoration of Statehood to J&K to the PM. He is likely to discuss the situation in J&K and various issues its people face.
The Omar-led Cabinet meeting passed a resolution last week urging the central Government to restore the Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir in its original form. The resolution was later cleared by the Lt Governor Manoj Sinha after it was handed over to him by the Chief Minister.
“The restoration of Statehood will be a beginning of a healing process, reclaiming the constitutional rights and protecting the identity of people of Jammu and Kashmir,” a statement issued by the Government had said.
The Cabinet had authorised the Chief Minister to take up the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Government of India for restoration of Statehood.
“Protection of Jammu and Kashmir’s unique identity and Constitutional rights of people remains the cornerstone of the newly elected Government’s policy,” the statement had added.
Various political parties, including the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples Conference (PC) and Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), had denounced the move of the cabinet, reminding the NC of its poll promise to “strive to restore (Articles) 370, 35-A and Statehood as prior to August 5, 2019”, and saying it was a departure from the pre-election stand.
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