J&K: ‘Disappointed’ at Outcome of All-Party Meet in Delhi, Says PAGD Leadership

Srinagar: The People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) on Monday said that the group’s leadership was “disappointed” at the all-party meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, held in New Delhi on June 24.

The alliance, formed with an objective to work for the restoration of the government’s revocation of so called ‘special status’, held a meeting on Sunday at chairman Farooq Abdullah’s Gupkar Road residence. The meeting was also attended by vice-chairperson Mehbooba Mufti, M.Y.Tarigami, Justice(retd) Hasnain Masoodi, Javed Mustafa Mir and Muzaffar Ahmed Shah.

All the members of the PAGD expressed their disappointment at the outcome of the Delhi meeting, especially at the absence of any substantial Confidence Building Measures, such as releasing political and other prisoners from jails, PAGD spokesperson Tarigami said.

Tarigami, who was critical of the outcome of talks since the day of the meeting, said that the government of India should initiate “concrete steps” to end the siege in Kashmir, which the political leadership believes, is reeling under the “atmosphere of suppression”.

“This would have initiated the much needed process of reaching out to the people of J&K who are the biggest stakeholders and sufferers of the J&K problem,” he said.

The PAGD leaders have been consistently demanding measures to be taken to ease the situation in the region, PAGD said, which has been “choked” following the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019.

“We are committed to fight together to reverse the unconstitutional and unacceptable changes foisted on the people of J&K on August 5 using all constitutional, legal and political means at its disposal,” a PAGD statement read. 

Tarigami, a senior CPI (M) leader, said both the Prime Minister and Home Minister have made a commitment on the floor of Parliament about restoration of statehood to J&K and that the government should “honour” their word.

“Any Assembly election must be held only after restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and not an assembly like we have in Delhi but statehood must be restored completely,” Tarigami said.

The PAGD has also decided to “reach out” to other political parties in the region with a view to take a “common position” on the issue.

While the PAGD leadership demands the restoration of statehood before the holding of elections, outside the grouping parties, like Altaf Bukhari led Apni Party and Sajjad Lone-led People’s Conference, have shown willingness to fight the polls irrespective of the status of the Union territory. 

Addressing media on Monday at his residence Tarigami, however, said that the PAGD has not taken any joint decision regarding meeting with the delimitation panel, scheduled to visit the region from July 6.

Most of the political leadership including the seniors have expressed willingness in meeting with the panel.