To revive its fortunes in Jammu & Kashmir and resurrect the party base, especially in Jammu region, the State unit of the Congress party on Friday sought immediate restoration of statehood and constitutional guarantees for the protection over lands and jobs and release of all political workers.
The State unit also demanded removal of all sorts of restrictions and curbs upon them to create conducive atmosphere for paving way for holding of early Assembly elections in Jammu & Kashmir.
It is for the first time, executive committee meeting of the congress party was organised after the
abrogation of Article 370 and reorganisation of the State in to two Union Territories.
Briefing media persons after attending the JKPCC executive meeting, Ghulam Nabi Azad, leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha flanked by Ambika Soni, incharge J&K Affairs and JKPCC Chief, GA Mir, told reporters, “we have passed a resolution in the meeting which sought immediate release of all political leaders and activists of congress and other mainstream parties and lifting of all sorts of restrictions on the political activities”.
Azad said, “Unless it is done no political process can take off and succeed, to create conducive atmosphere for the holding of Assembly elections in Jammu & Kashmir”. Azad said, “we have also sought immediate restoration of statehood status and adequate legal and constitutional guarantees to safeguard the rights over land and jobs and admissions to professional courses and higher portals of education to the local youth.
The executive committee meeting was attended by around 300 delegates from Kashmir & Jammu region including senior functionaries of PCC, former Ministers, ex-legislators, Heads of Frontal Wings and DCC Presidents besides Corporators and other members of the Executive Committee.
The executive committee meeting followed detailed deliberations, the two AICC leaders had with top leaders of the party on Thursday over the state of affairs in Jammu &Kashmir after the abrogation of special status and dividing & disbanding of the State into UT, apart from detentions of several Congress and important mainstream leaders and workers in the valley and most parts of the erstwhile state.
During the meeting, large number of participants from Kashmir Valley and Jammu region representing different districts and sections of society and wings of the party apprised the visiting leaders and participants about their experiences of the situation and the feelings of the people from different parts over current status.
The participants in the meeting took a resolve to launch a movement throughout Jammu & Kashmir to highlight the aspirations of the people especially with regard to the restoration of statehood status to Jammu & Kashmir besides constitutional safeguards to protect their rights over land and jobs etc.