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Written by: Press Trust of Kashmir

Created: 01 August 2019

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference delegation met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Thursday. According to reports that the NC’s Member of Parliament led by led by Dr. Farooq Abdullah including Hasnain Masoodi and Muhammad Akbar Lone discussed with the Prime Minister the prevailing situation in the valley in the backdrop of rumors about the abrogation of Article 35-A. Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Dr Farooq’s son Omar Abdullah was also part of the delegation.

After meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Omar Abdullah said that we had sought time from the PM to tell the situation of Jammu and Kashmir. There was tension in the valley for the last few days we wanted to tell about it. We said that such a step should be taken that does not affect the environment there. He said that Jammu and Kashmir has been operating by a popular elected government for nearly a year. We want elections in the state before the end of the year. Give people a chance to make decisions. We will accept the mandate, whatever happens.

"We discussed two issues with the prime minister. We told him that no step should be taken which will lead to deterioration of the situation in Kashmir Valley. We also told him that the assembly elections should be held before the end of the year," Omar Abdullah told reporters here. After the meeting, Omar said that they requested PM Modi that no precipitous steps of any sort should be taken that may worsen the situation in the state. They also asked PM Modi to let subjudice matters be settled by the courts and other matters be settled by an elected government.

PM Modi was also apprised that the state has been without an elected government for more than a year now and the NC president requested the PM to take all necessary steps to facilitate the Election Commission's (EC) conduct of assembly polls before winters. Praising the meeting, Omar said that it was conducted in a very cordial atmosphere. He also expressed their gratefulness to PM Modi for meeting them.

"I accompanied NC President Dr Farooq Abdullah & Hon MP Justice Masoodi to a meeting with PM Modi this morning. During the course of the meeting, we briefed PM Modi about our assessment of the current situation in the state. We requested him that no precipitous steps of any sort should be taken that may result in a situation in the state, particularly the valley, worsening. We specifically asked him to let subjudice matters be settled by the courts & other matters be settled by an elected government," tweeted Omar.

"Dr Abdullah reminded the PM that J&K has been without an elected government for well over a year now and requested him to take all necessary steps to facilitate the EC’s conduct of assembly polls before the onset of winter. The meeting took place in a very cordial atmosphere & we are grateful to PM Modi for meeting with us today," further tweeted Omar.

"Retweeting this tweet of mine from a few days ago to put into perspective the meeting of NC lead by Farooq Abdullah with PM Modi. We have been maintaining that any ‘all-party meeting’ would only follow on from our meeting with the PM," tweeted Omar.

Earlier on Monday, the NC had given a notice to raise the situation of the state in the Lok Sabha and also sought an appointment with PM Modi. Following this, Omar had said, "Before calling senior leaders from other parties in J&K to discuss the current situation it’s important to try to understand from the Central Govt about their intentions for the state & also how they see the situation at the moment. This is what NC is focused on."

The meeting comes days after in a major strategic move aimed at further bolstering the ongoing counter-terror operations in the state, the Centre decided to deploy additional 10,000 troops in the state. The decision followed the visit of National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval during which he reviewed the law and order situation in the state. It may be recalled that J&K continues to remain under the President's Rule.