Kargil:In Drass sector of Ladakh Divion, a meeting was held by the locals to discuss the current situation of the Jammu and Kashmir state and its regions in light of the recent abrogation of Article 370, 35A and bifurcation of the state.

The meeting was attended by members of various religious communities, including Sunni, Shia, Ahle Hadith, Noorbakshia along with members of political parties National Conference, Indian National Congress, People Democratic Party, Bhartiya Janta Party and local elected representatives of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (Kargil). A coordination committee of Drass was also formed in the meeting.

In this meeting, all the participants condemned the continuous communications black out in the valley, the arrest of political, social and religious figures and unanimously rejected the decision of bifurcation of J&K into two Union Territories.

In a Statement to Wilayat Times, The participants termed the BJP government’s decision as undemocratic and unconstitutional. They further reiterated that they reject the dictatorial imposition of the bifurcation, the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A without the consent of the people of Jammu And Kashmir. Reiterating the collective historical, cultural, geographical, and economical proximity with the rest of Jammu and Kashmir, the coordination committee of Drass announced that they were, are and will continue to remain a part of Jammu and Kashmir. They rejected the bifurcation of J&K loudly and clearly.

The committee also decided to coordinate with the Joint Action Committee of Kargil and plan a detailed course of action for the future. They emphasised the need to build up a democratic and peaceful struggle across Drass and other parts of Kargil for the restoration of Article 370, Article 35A and re-integration of Ladakh with Jammu and Kashmir. They also extended their solidarity to the people of valley and demanded the restoration of all communications and the release of all political prisoners.