Amit Shah Assures Omar Abdullah Of J&K Statehood

Srinagar: The Centre is likely to initiate the process of restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir over five years after the region was stripped of its statehood and special status. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Wednesday evening. During the meeting, Shah assured the centre’s full support to the newly elected government, NDTV reported quoting sources.

Notably, in its first meeting last week, the J&K cabinet passed a resolution demanding the restoration of statehood.

“The restoration of statehood will be the beginning of the healing process, reclaiming constitutional rights and protecting the identity of people of Jammu and Kashmir,” said the resolution, which Lt Governor Manoj Sinha cleared.

Abdullah is likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday evening in New Delhi and submit a copy of the resolution.

Besides statehood, the resolution also emphasises on the J&K government’s commitment to protect the identity and constitutional rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “Protection of Jammu and Kashmir’s unique identity and the constitutional rights of people remain the cornerstone of the newly elected government’s policy,” according to the resolution.

Under the scrapped Articles 370 and 35A, the people of Jammu and Kashmir had exclusive land ownership and job privileges.