Ganderbal, Jul 30: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood requires sustained political efforts, asserting that the National Conference (NC) has consistently raised the issue instead of waiting for August 5.
Speaking to reporters after reviewing development works in Ganderbal, Abdullah said the party’s protest in New Delhi was aimed at reminding the Centre of its commitment to restore statehood.
“We took our protest to Delhi knowing fully well that we would not get anything from the first one. A promise was made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir regarding the restoration of statehood, and that promise remains unfulfilled,” he said.
Abdullah said a single protest could not secure the demand, adding that the party had already passed a resolution in the Legislative Assembly and continued to raise the issue at every democratic forum.
“We did not sit quietly waiting for August 5. We have used every available platform, including the Assembly, to convey the people’s mandate to New Delhi. We will continue our efforts until the promise is fulfilled,” he said.
He also said the Delhi protest was intended to keep the issue alive nationally.
“Much of the country’s media has forgotten that a promise was made to Jammu and Kashmir. We wanted to put our demand on record and remind the nation that it is yet to be honoured,” he said.
On the situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Abdullah said reports of violence and civilian casualties were concerning.
“We are all concerned. We can only hope that peace prevails there as well,” he said.
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