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PDP, NC take out rallies in support of Article 35A

MAJID NABI. Dated: 8/5/2018 12:48:44 AM

SRINAGAR, Aug 4: Joining the chorus to protect Article 35A from political onslaught, separate protest rallies were organized today by two major political parties of the state National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party in support of the constitutional Act.
The two ideologically different parties which have always been at loggerheads in the political arena expressed similar concerns on well thought-out conspiracy to change demographic status of Jammu and Kashmir.
Leaders of both the parties warned serious ramifications incase the constitutional status of the state was harmed by any means.
Led by senior party leaders, hundreds of PDP workers amid sloganeering took out a protest march from party central office at Residency Road. However they were disallowed to proceed towards Lal Chowk by the police.
Carrying placards in their hands which read “conspiracies against Article 35A unacceptable, don’t dare to tamper constitutional Act” the slogan shouting marchers alleged that people will flood roads in case the special status of the state was challenged.
They said challenging constitutional Act in the Supreme Court of India is aimed at changing demographic setup of the state by settling non-state subjects.
MLC Khanyar and PDP District President, Mohammad Khurshid Alam who led the rally while reiterating his Party stand on Article 35A said PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti’s firm stand as Chief Minister on this Article is well known and in consonance with honor and dignity of the people.
PDP Chief Spokesman and MLA Pahalgam constituency, Rafi Ahmad Mir said abrogation of Article 35A will not be less than a disaster for the state.
“Any changes or its abrogation will yield disastrous consequences, this issue was thoroughly discussed during round table conference in which I and Nizam-ud-Din Bhat participated and expressed our view point,” said Mir before culminating protest at residency Road here.
He said the people of Jammu who were supporting removal of state subject law are now ready to stand in its support.
In the meantime, hundreds of NC workers both male and female holding placards in their hands ‘reading “stop attacking special status of J&K, life and honor of state lies with Article 35A” took out a rally from party headquarters at Nawa-i-Subh against political onslaught on Article 35A.
The marchers amid pro Kashmir sloganeering when reached near TRC, posses of police deployed in advance intercepted them to proceed ahead. The protesting NC workers after brief verbal brawl with the police dispersed off peacefully.
Talking to reporters, NC Additional General Secretary, Sheikh Mustafa Kamal while advocating for meaningful political dialogue to resolve Kashmir issue said “Jammu and Kashmir has never merged with India, Article 35A which has been challenged in apex court is the bridge between temporary accession”
Kamal who always stoke controversies with his hard hitting statements said the aim of challenging Article 35A is to merge the state with India.
“This Act is a bridge between Jammu and Kashmirwith India. This state has never merged with India or will merge with it in future as well. The plan behind removal of Article 35A is the permanent merger of the state,” said Kamal.
He also said that Kashmir issue should be resolved according to the wishes and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.