MEHBOOBA SEEKS MEET OF PARTIES

SRINAGAR: People Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti Monday said all regional political parties should sit together and chalk out a strategy to save Article 35 A.

“Through you I want to tell all regional political parties , I am in contact with (NC leader) Omar Abdullah sahab that we should have a strategy so that there is no tinkering with Article 35 A. If there is an attack on the Article then I don’t know which flag people of Jammu and Kashmir will be forced to raise other than tricolour .... ”

hotel has reportedly been acquired as HQ of security forces, he added.

Abdullah said the situation would turn worse than it is in Arunachal Pradesh, if the central government tinkers with Article 35 A in J&K.

The North Eastern state is in the grip of violence after a committee recommended the grant of permanent residency certificates (PRC) to six communities that are not part of the Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribes list.

Another former chief minister and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti said any attempt to change Article 370, which gives a degree of autonomy to the state, and Article 35 A will “undermine and nullify the very contract that legitimizes J&K’S accession with India”.

Rohit Kansal, the official spokesman of the government, had assured people that the state government’s position in the Supreme Court — seeking adjournment till an elected government is in place — stands.