Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and other J&K's politicians form people's alliance for Article 370
Srinagar/IBNS: Key politicians from various parties in Jammu and Kashmir including arch-rivals like National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah, his son Omar, People's Democratic Party (PDP)'s Mehbooba Mufti and Sajjad Lone came together on Thursday to form an alliance to fight for the restoration of Article 370 in the Valley.
They have called this unification as "People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration" which has been formed after the Centre ended the special status of Jammu and Kashmir granted under the Constitution and bifurcated the state into two Union Territories.
Gupkar Declaration resolution was adopted after an all-party meeting on August 4, 2019 at the Gupkar residence of the National Conference chief.
Hundreds of politicians were detained or put under house arrest in the Kashmir Valley ahead of August 5, 2019, when the Centre decided to scrap Article 370 giving special status to Jammu and Kashmir and split it into two Union territories.
Speaking to reporters after Thursday's meeting, Farooq Abdullah said: "Our battle is a constitutional battle, we want the Government of India to return to the people of the state the rights they held before 5th August 2019."
"We shall struggle for the restoration of what was snatched from Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh," he added.
“We have named this alliance as People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration. Our battle is a constitutional battle, we want the government of India to return to the people of the State the rights they held before 5th Aug 2019” - Dr Farooq Abdullah. pic.twitter.com/lCz9vDHT83
— Sarah Hayat Shah (@SaraHayatShah) October 15, 2020
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti was released from detention after 14 months on Tuesday.
The Abdullahs, also charged under the draconian PSA, were released in March, within days of each other.
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