Srinagar: J&K Awami National Conference Wednesday termed the right of non-state residents to vote in Jammu and Kashmir as a monstrous plan and demanded restoration of Article 370 in its original form, releasing of political prisoners, giving locals access to minerals, and hydropower projects and all industrial infrastructure.
In the ANC kashmir Province Provincial working committee meeting held under the chairmanship of party senior vice president Mr. Muzaffar Shah at the residence of Awami National Conference chief Begum Khaleda Shah in Srinagar, all the delegates participated, during which apart from discussing the political, administrative and current situation, a resolution was also passed.
In the resolution based on 13 points, ANC demanded to restore the official holidays on July 13 Martyrs’ Day and December 5 on the birthday of late Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, honourable return of Kashmiri Pandits, continuation of salaries of daily wage workers, providing employment to now more than 30 lac unemployed youth, restoration of Article 370 and 35A to their original status,and release of political prisoners,” they said.
They also demanded inter-Kashmir talks for the solution of the Kashmir issue, and the non-interference of the government in the administrative affairs of the Muslim Waqf Board .
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Senior Vice President of the party Mr. Muzaffar Shah said that the Center has to restore statehood in Jammu and Kashmir in any case, and it will not be a favor to the people of Jammu and Kashmir as the Home Minister had promised the same in Parliament.
Shah while criticising some leaders without mentioning their names said that they want to do away with Article 370 & could opt for Article 371, they should remember that Article 371 came out of Article 370. They have started talking about it, but it shows their political bankruptcy.” It is heartening to note that strong voices are coming out of Jammu that the people of Jammu want back the same position under which Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession with the Union of India on 26 th October 1946 & a big realisation has set in that Article 370 and 35 were neither Muslim-centric nor Kashmir Centric, they belonged & catered to every citizen of the state irrespective of religion or region,he said.
The ANC Sr VP further said that Article 370 came into being after the discussion between the Constituent Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir and the Parliament and it was included in the Constitution of India. Shah said that Ladakh was separated from Jammu and Kashmir under a plan, with which it had a 1500-year-old relationship, and now efforts are being made to separate Jammu under a plan.
Shah also added that Article 370 was temporarily implemented till the final will of the People was obtained which is called Rai shumari, the Constitution speaks so. The Senior Vice President termed the next 3 months as sensitive on the matters related to Article 370 and said that this decision in the Supreme Court will be in favor of the people of Jammu and Kashmir or this petition will be postponed again for a long time.
“He has strong hope that the decision of the Supreme Court to restore Article 370 will come. He said that his party has been active in the Supreme Court regarding Article 370 since the first day and their petition was filed before August 5, 2019,” He said.
Expressing concern over the inclusion of 25 lakh foreign voters in Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffar Shah said that on September 10 in Jammu this matter was is on top of the agenda in the All party meeting called under the chairmanship of Dr. Farooq Abdullah. Shah said that the Awami National Conference will suggest that the labour class of the other states should not go to Jammu & Kashmir until the problem of enrolling outside voters other than permanent residents of J&K is resolved. He would also with a heavy heart suggest to the people in both Jammu & Kashmir divisions to explain to the labour class of their inability to provide them with jobs, Contracts & temporary accommodations till thematter of voting rights to outsiders is revoked by the ECI. He explained that the Awami National Conference had participated in the block development council elections so that the BJP would not give the impression that the decision to abrogate Article 370 was correct. Expressing concern over cancellation of recruitment lists and unemployment of youth, Shah appealed to the central government to focus its attention on the matter. Expressing his concerns on the spread of drug abuse, Mr Muzaffar Shah said, “If the local police take prompt action, they can eradicate this epidemic, and save the young generation.” He said the Awami National Conference will hold Zonal conventions at Srinagar, Anantnag and Baramulla districts under the Awami contact campaign, after which it will move to Jammu district. Party General Secretary Advocate Mir Muhammad Shafi, Amanullah Kanth, Abddul Rasheed Wani, Iftikhar Ahmed Bandey, Rahi Riyaz Ahmad, Raja Iftikhar , Meraj Siraj, Muhammad Sultan Bhat, Mohd Ismail Mam, Muhammad Yusuf Shayar, Bashir Ahmed Pahlwan, Ghulam Muhideen , Gulzar Ahmad Nengroo, GM Wathuri, Naseer Ahmed Shah, Basheer Ahmed Cheepo, Raja Iftikhar, Syed Murtaza, Abdul Ahad Khimbar, Ghulam Hasan, Atif Kanth, Er Gh Rasool Dar, Manzoor Shah, Deen Muhammad Wani, Shabbir Ahmed Mir, Taib Dev, Aftab Ahmed Laway, Ghulam Nabi Khatu, latif Ahmad Shala, Altaf Ahmed, Ghulam Muhammad Matta, Arshad Ahmed Rather, Shabbir Ahmed Pader, Bashir Ahmed Naikoo, Ms Masarat Qadri, Muhammad Ishaq, Arshad Naqshbandi, Sajad Ahmad Dar and other district presidents and senior leaders also spoke on this occasion.
