SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) on Monday intensified its campaign for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir statehood by staging a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The demonstration, led by NC president Farooq Abdullah, was joined by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who travelled from Jammu and Kashmir to participate alongside senior party leaders.The protest was organised to urge the Central Government to fulfil its commitment to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, a promise the party says was made after the Assembly elections.Addressing the gathering, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary said the people of Jammu and Kashmir had come to the national capital to remind Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of their assurance regarding the restoration of statehood.Choudhary alleged that nearly one-and-a-half years had passed since the Omar Abdullah-led government assumed office, but the Centre had yet to act on its commitment. He said the National Conference, Congress, and alliance partners had united to press the Union Government to honour its promise.“The Prime Minister and the Home Minister assured the people that J&K statehood would be restored after the Assembly elections. That promise remains unfulfilled,” Choudhary said.He further claimed that the assurance had been made in Parliament, before the Supreme Court, and to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, questioning when the Centre’s “appropriate time” for restoring statehood would arrive.The National Conference has consistently maintained that the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir statehood remains one of its top political priorities and has urged the Union Government to act without further delay.
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