In a freewheeling three-and-a-half-hour interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, J&K parties, across the political divide, find the common ground on deepening democracy, early process and taking the PM's dialogue process forward. "Building trust is very necessary. Restoration of full statehood will be the first trust building exercise from New Delhi," Dr. Abdullah, NC president and the Gupkar alliance chief, said. His son and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said there has been a breach of trust between Delhi and Srinagar and requires measures from the PM, as he described the August 5, 2019 move as "unacceptable" and "being contested in the court" by the party. "People do not like J&K's status to be reduced to Union Territory (UT). They want the full State and J&K cadre restored," Mr. Abdullah said. All the constituents of the Gupkar Alliance, including Dr. Abdullah and Ms. Mufti, reiterated their demand to restore the special status of J&K, as it existed on August 4, 2019 and "rebuild the broken relation with people of J&K". "People of J&K have been in pain since 5 August 2019. They are angry and feel humiliated. The people of J&K do not accept the unconstitutional, immoral and illegal abrogation of Article 370. My party and my party will fight peacefully and democratically for its restoration, even if it takes months or years. It's about our identity. Article 370 was not something granted by Pakistan to us," Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti said. Ms. Mufti said she complimented the PM for initiating dialogue with China and Pakistan and insisted that India should talk to Pakistan for peace in Kashmir. "We also sought security on land, jobs and minerals of J&K and an end to any kind of intimidation. We also demanded the release of political leaders," she added.
No concrete assurances
CPI(M) leader M.Y. Tarigami said both the Prime Minister and the Home Minister gave them a patient hearing as they expressed their concerns, demands and aspirations. "However, we did not get any concrete assurances from them," he added.
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