PM Modi assures statehood to J&K at right time

New Delhi: In the first all-party meeting involving leaders from Jammu and Kashmir for the first time after the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday assured that the Centre is committed to granting statehood to Jammu and Kashmir at the right time.

Meeting the leaders from the Valley, PM Modi stressed that holding assembly elections just like the successful District Development Council elections is a priority

The PM also appealed to everyone to work in the national interest for the benefit of the people although there are be political differences.

He stressed that an atmosphere of safety and security needs to be ensured for all sections of society in Jammu and Kashmir, adding that he wants to remove the 'Dilli ki Duri' as well as 'Dil Ki Duri'.

Delimitation, a roadmap for Assembly polls, restoration of statehood and bringing back Kashmiri Pandits were the key issues discussed in the crucial all-party meeting on Jammu and Kashmir that was chaired by Prime Minister Modi and attended by leaders from different political parties in J&K.

The meeting lasted for more than three-and-a-half hours with nobody raising cross-border issues, sources said.

As per sources, the PM heard all the suggestions and inputs put forward by the participants and expressed happiness over everyone sharing their frank and honest views.

It was an open discussion that revolved around building a better future for Kashmir with the main focus on strengthening the democratic process in J&K.

Restoration of statehood in Jammu and Kashmir, Assembly elections, domicile rules, bringing back Kashmir Pandits and release of political prisoners were among the five key demands raised by the Congress, senior party leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said after the marathon meeting.

It was proposed that the elections could take place soon after the delimitation process, to which most of the participants agreed.

Delimitation is a prerequisite for conducting Assembly polls -- something which the authorities and the political class are looking forward to as they seek to kick the political process into a higher gear, an objective that can speed up the development process in J&K.

The Prime Minister emphasised the need to strengthen democracy at the grassroots level and work together with the people of Jammu and Kashmir to ensure their upliftment.

He expressed happiness on the commitment to the Constitution and democracy espoused by all the participants and said that even one death in J&K is painful and "it is our collective duty to protect our younger generation".

Modi further stressed that "we need to give opportunities to the youth in Jammu and Kashmir and they will give back lots to our country".

The developments achieved by J&K were discussed in detail during the meeting, including the many pro-people initiatives.

The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the acceleration of development in J&K and said that it is creating new hope and aspirations among the people.

He further said that when people experience corruption-free governance, it inspires trust among them to extend their cooperation to the administration, something which is visible in Jammu and Kashmir today.