Srinagar, July 30: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that the National Conference’s protest in New Delhi seeking the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood was aimed at registering the party’s concern with the Central Government over the continued delay in fulfilling its commitment.
Speaking to reporters, Omar Abdullah said the party was fully aware that the long-pending demand for restoration of statehood would not be accepted on the basis of a single protest. However, he stressed that it was important to consistently remind the Centre of its promise and keep the issue alive.
“The protest in New Delhi was held to register our concern with the Central Government. We know that our demand will not be accepted with just one protest, but we have to remind them consistently,” Omar Abdullah said.
He reiterated that the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir remains a key commitment of the National Conference and said the party would continue to pursue the issue through democratic and peaceful means until the promise made by the Centre is fulfilled.
Omar Abdullah asserted that the National Conference would continue raising the demand at every appropriate platform, maintaining pressure on the Central Government to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional status as a full-fledged state.(KNC)
