‘Continued Indo-Pak dialogue imperative for lasting regional peace’
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Reiterating its stand on the autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir, National Conference on Saturday described it as core of the party’s political agenda and a way forward towards resolution of the political issue of the State.
In a resolution, adopted at an eight-hour long Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting, presided over by its President Dr Farooq Abdullah, the National Conference said the party’s stand on this important agenda is loud and clear, as autonomy is imperative for upholding the political dignity and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Besides Working President Omar Abdullah and General Secretary Ali Mohammed Sagar, the meeting was attended by other members of the CWC.
Chief Spokesperson of the party said that the CWC stressed the need for continued dialogue between India and Pakistan, saying it is the only way forward towards restoration of sustained peace in the region.
“The sustained dialogue can open window for all the problems between India and Pakistan, including issue regarding Jammu and Kashmir”, the CWC resolved in another resolution, reiterating that un-interrupted dialogue process should continue in the larger interests of the people of both the countries.
In yet another resolution, the CWC reiterated its principled stand to uphold the pluralistic and secular ethos of Jammu and Kashmir, especially since divisive forces were hell-bent upon dividing the state on regional and religious lines. The party expressed grave concern over some recent incidents where in concerted efforts were made to polarize the state on communal and regional basis. “CWC firmly resolves its commitment to the integrity and unity of the state and shall continue to strive to protect secular, pluralistic and democratic ethos of the state”, the resolution added.
The Chief Spokesperson said that the CWC expressed deep anguish over the Handwara incidents and sought judicial inquiry by a sitting High Court Judge into the entire episode.
“The victims should be adequately compensated and rehabilitated”, the CWC demanded while expressing solidarity with all those who lost their dear ones in the incidents. It sought severe punishment to the guilty.
Referring to implementation of the anti-poor and anti-people National Food Security Act, the National Conference CWC took note of massive protests by people across the state against it and asked the Centre and the State Government to take note of it.
“The contradictory and confusing stand taken by the Coalition Government in this regard created confusion in minds of the people, which led to massive protests against NFSA”, the resolution said adding that the Act has caused hardships and sufferings to people across the state.
The CWC sought immediate rollback of the NFSA and sought provision of ration to ration card holders on old schedule of 35 kilograms on the Census of 2011. The Chief Spokesperson said that National Conference Central Working Committee expressed concern over the plight of 2014 flood sufferers and the lackadaisical attitude of both the Centre and the State Government in providing relief to them. “Notwithstanding Rs 44,000 crore package recommended by the previous government, only a trickle has come for the sufferers”, the National Conference noted while urging the Centre to resolve the issue on immediate basis by way of rehabilitating the sufferers. In a resolution, the CWC expressed its deep sorrow over the demise of former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed.
NC President Dr Farooq Abdullah appreciated Abdul Rahim Rather and Mohammed Yousf Taing for drafting the working paper regarding amendments to the Constitution of the party, which was discussed threadbare in the CWC meeting.
Prominent among those present in the meeting included Dr Sheikh Mustaffa Kamal, Mohammed Shafi Uri, Abdul Rahim Rather, Choudhary Mohammed Ramzan, Perzada Ghulam Ahmed Shah, Mubarak Gul, Sakina Itoo, Mohammed Yousf Taing, Aga Syed Roohullah, Dharam Veer Singh Oberoi, Vijay Bakaya, Sharief-ud-Din Shariq, Mir Saifullah, Nasir Aslam Wani, Qamar Ali Akhoon, Devender Singh Rana, Ram Paul, S. Harbans Singh, Surjit Singh Slathia, Khalid Najeeb Suharwardy, Choudhry Mohammed Shafi, Javed Rana, Syed Mushtaq Ahmed Bukhari, Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo, Mohammed Akbar Lone, Bimla Luthra, Abdul Gani Malik and Lakshmi Dutta.
