Kulgam, 27-Nov; Former CM and senior congress leader Gh. Nabi Azad today visited Devsar area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Saturday.Addressing the public rally, Azaad said that the administration had set up a magisterial probe into the encounter and raised a question on this and said “how can a police team probe allegations against the police themselves.” He further said that if such incidents take place in the capital, people will question what must be happening in the hinterland.Adding that during his tenure fake encounters also took place however, within stipulated time, enquiry was conducted.On the sidelines of rally, while speaking to media reporters, Azaad said that they have already discussed and demanded restoration of statehood in All Party’s meeting on behalf of people of jk and political parties including BJP.”The elections should be conducted soon. But before the elections, delimitation should be done and statehood should be restored, which is very important. Kashmiri Pandits should be brought back.”Our land and job (rights), which were taken away after Article 370 was revoked,should be secured like they were before (August 5, 2019) through a new law when the statehood is restored,” he said.Ghulam Nabi Azad says, “Usually, UTs are upgraded to state. But in our case, the state was downgraded to UT. It’s like demoting DGP to the post of thanedaar, CM to MLA, and chief secretary to Patwari. No wise man can do this.”On August 5, 2019, the Centre announced abrogation of special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution and its bifurcation into union territories.(CNS)
