Statehood restoration constitutional right, not favour: Choudhary Ramzan

Srinagar, Jun 19: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Additional General Secretary and MP Chaudhary Mohammad Ramzan Friday said that with the formation of the people’s government led by the National Conference, the atmosphere of fear and uncertainty in Jammu and Kashmir has come to an end and people have once again found government institutions accessible. He said that the Civil Secretariat, along with all government offices and institutions, has been opened to the public, and the entire administrative machinery is actively engaged in addressing public grievances and resolving people’s issues.
He stated that despite having limited powers, the government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is utilizing all available resources to provide maximum relief to the people. The government’s foremost objective is public welfare, accelerating developmental activities, and addressing the day-to-day concerns of the people.
Interacting with party leaders, legislators, office-bearers, and workers from different areas at the party headquarters, Chaudhary Mohammad Ramzan said that everyone must unite for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood because its restoration is not a favour from anyone but the constitutional and democratic right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Expressing concern, he said that the Central Government had made clear commitments before the Supreme Court, Parliament and various public forums regarding delimitation, assembly elections and the restoration of statehood in Jammu and Kashmir. “While Assembly elections have been completed and 19 months have passed since then, New Delhi continues to delay fulfilling its promise of restoring statehood. He described this as both unfortunate and deeply concerning.
He further said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir never accepted the decisions of August 5, 2019, and continue to seek the restoration of the rights that were taken away from them. They also desire a review of the decision to divide the erstwhile state into two separate Union Territories. He added that the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh should once again be given the opportunity to live in an atmosphere of mutual harmony, brotherhood, and shared progress, as they did in the past.
Chaudhary Mohammad Ramzan said that the National Conference has planned a protest in New Delhi on the opening day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session in support of constitutional guarantees and the restoration of statehood. Members of Parliament, Members Legislative Assembly and senior party leaders will participate in the programme.
He recalled that during the first session of the present Legislative Assembly, J&K National Conference passed a resolution rejecting the decisions of August 5, 2019 and demanding the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. Likewise, during its very first Cabinet meeting, the government adopted a unanimous resolution seeking the restoration of statehood, reflecting the aspirations and sentiments of the people.