‘Beginning, Not the End’: Omar Abdullah Vows to Intensify Fight for J&K Statehood

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said the restoration of statehood to the Union Territory was imperative for the eventual restoration of its special status, while asserting that the National Conference (NC) would continue pressing the Centre to honour its commitment.

Abdullah said the NC would keep reminding the central government of its promise to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and expressed hope that the commitment would be fulfilled.

"Jammu and Kashmir's statehood is imperative for its special status. The NC will continue to remind the Centre of its promise of restoration of J&K's statehood, and we hope that it will fulfil its commitment," Abdullah said.

The chief minister had travelled to New Delhi on Monday to stage a protest at Jantar Mantar, demanding the restoration of statehood. However, he was stopped by police from proceeding towards the protest venue amid heavy security deployment in the area for another protest.

Reacting to the development, Abdullah said the statehood protest in Delhi was only the beginning and not the end of the party's campaign. He also sought to reassure the people of Jammu and Kashmir that the NC remained committed to the promises it had made.

"I assure my people we stand by our promises and will remain steadfast," the chief minister said, adding that a new strategy and programme would soon be decided by the party leadership.

The NC has consistently demanded the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir following the region's reorganisation as a Union Territory in 2019. The party has maintained that restoring statehood remains a key political priority and has continued to raise the issue with the Centre.