NC to hold protest in New Delhi for restoration of statehood to J&K

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, JUNE 03 (STC): To intensify campaign for restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, the ruling National Conference has decided to hold a protest in New Delhi on the opening day of Parliament’s forthcoming Monsoon Session, senior party leader and minister Javed Rana said on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting of National Conference legislators and ministers chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at Dachigam, Rana said the party leadership discussed the issue of statehood at length and agreed to take the campaign beyond Jammu and Kashmir.
He said the protest would be aimed at pressing the Centre to fulfil its commitment on restoration of statehood.
“The National Conference will hold a protest in New Delhi on the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. Restoration of statehood remains our foremost political demand and we will continue to pursue it democratically,” Rana said.
The minister said the party would reach out to political parties across Jammu and Kashmir and seek their participation in the programme.
“We will invite all political parties from Jammu and Kashmir to join the protest. The issue of statehood concerns every citizen of the Union Territory and goes beyond party lines,” he said.
Rana said the party leadership believes the time has come for a renewed push on the issue and expressed hope that all stakeholders would support the demand.

(Straight Talk Communications)