SRINAGAR, AUG 04: Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Sunday allayed concerns over rumours that the Centre might repeal Article 35A, saying that nothing will happen ‘secretly’.
He further said that neither Prime Minister Narendra Modi nor Home Minister Amit Shah has hinted anything about any action in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Parliament is in session. It is to meet for 3-4 days. So, whatever will happen will not happen secretly. It will come to Parliament and will be discussed. Wait till Monday or Tuesday,” said the Governor amid speculation that the Article 35A might be abrogated.
“Till today, I have no inclination, no information. I have talked to everybody in Delhi and nobody has given me any hint that they will do this or that. Somebody says it is trifurcation, Article 35A, 370. Nobody has discussed these with me, neither Prime Minister nor Home Minister,” Malik further said.
On Friday, the Jammu and Kashmir government curtailed the Amarnath Yatra citing security concerns. The advisory further advised tourists and Amarnath Yatris to leave the state immediately. The advisory stirred up speculation in the Valley that the Centre could either abrogate Article 370 and Article 35A, or go for delimitation and even trifurcation of the state.
Late that night, Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti, Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Lone, and Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Movement founder Shah Faesal went to meet the Governor at the Raj Bhawan.
As per the statement issued after the meeting, Malik urged the political leaders to tell their supporters not to believe “exaggerated rumours” being circulated in the Valley.
National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah, who met the Jammu and Kashmir Governor yesterday, said he wanted the Centre to give an assurance in Parliament on Monday.
“We wanted to know about the current situation in J&K. When we ask officials they say something is happening, but nobody knows what actually is happening,” Omar told the media after holding a meet with the J&K Governor.
The Governor assured us that “there was no movement on (repealing) Article 370 or Article 35A or delimitation (of constituencies in the state),” said Abdullah, but added: “Let Parliament assure us that there is no need for the people to be afraid”.
He further said that the National Conference will never permit any “fiddling with the special status both politically and legally. The need of the hour is to hold elections in the state and allow an elected government to deal with the problems of the people.” (PTK)
