Statehood protest at Jantar Mantar open to all parties: Dy CM

Bandipora, Jun 10: As the National Conference prepares for a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi seeking the restoration of statehood, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Wednesday said all political parties have been invited and appealed to them to join the demonstration.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to Bandipora district, Choudhary said the issue of statehood concerns the identity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and expressed hope that political parties would support the demand.
“We have invited and appealed to all political parties to join our protest at Jantar Mantar in favour of the restoration of statehood. Let us see who comes and joins us,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.
He said the participation of political parties would make their position on the issue clear, adding that the demand for statehood transcends political affiliations and is linked to the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Choudhary also urged the Centre to fulfil its commitment on statehood, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had assured the people that statehood would be restored.
Commenting on the mining sector, the Deputy Chief Minister alleged that the mining policy introduced during the PDP-BJP coalition government had contributed to unemployment and adversely impacted local interests. He said the present government had been working over the past two years to address those issues.
Earlier, Choudhary, accompanied by Sonawari MLA Advocate Hilal Akbar Lone, SDM Sumbal Murtaza Ahmad and other senior officials, inspected several developmental projects in Bandipora district, including the Naninara Bridge.
During the visit, he reviewed the progress of ongoing works and emphasized the need for timely completion of projects aimed at improving connectivity and accelerating development in the district. [KNT]