Jammu and Kashmir: Political parties raise concern over government advisory, doubt Modi govt’s intention

Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday warned Central government against any dilution of Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional status. They also asked the government to explain the current frenzies in Parliament regarding the state.

PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti said, “India has finally failed to win over the love of J&K, which rejected divisions on religious grounds and chose secular India. The gloves are finally off, and India has chosen territory over people.”

Mufti said PDP always believed that any concensus or a final solution on Jammu and Kashmir had to come from India. “But today, the same country seems to be preparing to rob J&K of whatever little is left to protect its unique identity.”

Mehbooba Mufti said in a press conference that the security advisory that was issued on Friday has created "chaos and confusion among people" and the recent developments have "made the environment very scary".

"I have never seen such panic among Kashmiri people," Mehbooba Mufti said.

Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and National Conference Vice-President Omar Abdullah asked why the government was shifting the tourists and yatris out of Jammu and Kashmir.

“State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) buses are being deployed to bus people out from Pahalgam and Gulmarg. If there is a threat to the yatra, why is Gulmarg being emptied,” he said.

“I have so many questions & not a single answer. I’ve met people today who occupy important positions to do with J&K, not one of them was able to tell me anything and I’ve been CM for 6 years. Imagine the plight of your everyday Kashmiri who doesn’t know what to believe.”

MY Tarigami of CPI(M) questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence in the Parliament over the issue.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq of Hurriyat said removal of Article 35A is aimed at changing the demography of the State.

“The provision was negotiated by the regional electoral parties and is an article of faith, which should not be breached. Such measures will not change the reality that Kashmir is an issue and has to be resolved. The word is asking India and Pakistan to resolve it and there are also offers to mediate,” he told a Friday congregation in Srinagar.

Mehbooba Mufti arranged late evening meetings with NC president Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Peoples Conference chief Sajad Lone, Tarigami and J&K Peoples Movement chief Shah Faesal. PDP chief also led a joint delegation of these parties to meet Satyapal Malik.

“After a brief discussion, we called on Mr Malik ji and requested him to dispel rumours that have caused a sense of panic in the Valley,” said Mehbooba Mufti.

Raising doubts over the government advisory, Faesal asked, “Should Kashmiris also migrate to other places or is it that our lives do not matter?”

During the meeting with the leaders of political parties, Governor Satyapal Malik informed them that there were serious and credible inputs regarding terrorist attacks on the Amarnath Yatra.

“It is the responsibility of the state to provide security to all its citizens. Unnecessary panic is being created by linking this to all kinds of other issues. A pure security measure is being mixed up with issues with which it has no connection. The political leaders should ask their supporters to maintain calm,” he said.