All eyes on J&K all-party meeting

Narendra Modi

All eyes are on the Jammu and Kashmir all-party meeting on June 24 in Delhi to be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has received a call to take part in the all-important meeting but said that she will hold discussions with her party colleagues before making a decision. Meanwhile, sources close to former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that the National Conference has not received an invitation to take part in the meeting so far.

Nearly two years after the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, and the splitting of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories, PM Modi will hold the meeting of mainstream political parties from Jammu and Kashmir. Sources say that the Centre is reaching out to mainstream political parties to end the political impasse in the Union Territory. The meeting comes amid speculations about restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting also assumes significance with delimitation or redrawing of constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir on the cards and assembly polls slated to take place later this year or early next year. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday carried out a review meeting to discuss the security scenario of Jammu and Kashmir.

Meanwhile, hours after Mufti received her invitation, authorities in J&K on Saturday released her uncle and senior PDP leader, Sartaj Madni, from detection. Madni was detained on December 21, 2020.

Release of Mirwaiz Umer Farooq sought

Demands are being made to release Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq from house detention. He has been in detention for the last 23 months. Satish Mahaldar, chairman, Reconciliation Return & Rehabilitations of Migrants said, "as the Mirwaiz of Kashmir and chairman of the Hurriyat Conference, Umer Farooq has an important religious as well as political role in the Kashmir Valley. He is the spiritual leader of Kashmir's Muslims. Mirwaiz Umer Farooq is also the victim of militancy. At the age of 17, his father was assassinated by unknown gunmen. He is the leader of the Awami Action Committee. He is always worried about the youth picking up guns, the rise in militant operations and advocates for the resolution of the issue." Mahaldar said in a statement.

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