'Article 370 removal ended terrorism but wasn't in the interest of...': Ghulam Nabi Azad

Ghulam Nabi Az, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) on Sunday criticised Central government over revoking of Article 370 and said that re are many things that Centre should not have done here like removing Article 370. He ded that removal was not in interest of people here. However, he ensured to mention that abolishing of Article 370 has definitely ended terrorism and stone pelting in valley. 

He of Democratic Progressive Az Party (DPAP) Az, while dressing a press meet in J&K said, "re are many things that Centre should not have done here like removal of Article 370. It was not in interest of people here, but one thing is certain that incidents of terrorism and stone pelting have stopped." 

Elimination of terrorism has boosted tourism in valley: Ghulam Nabi Az

S Jaishankar's remark over Article 370 to Pakistan

Earlier, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar rapped his Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for raking up issue of abrogation of Article 370 in J&K and asking to review action. Responding to Zardari's comment, EAM h said at press meet after conclusion of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in Goa, "Wake up and smell coffee, 370 is history. sooner people realise it, better it is." 

Jaishankar even lashed out at Pakistan for putting an objection to G20 meetings in J&K, saying, "y have nothing to do with G20, nothing to do with even Srinagar and Kashmir. y should talk about when y will vacate illegally occupied territories of Jammu and Kashmir.” 

Farooq Abdullah on Article 370

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah too has targeted Centre over abrogation of Article 370, by saying, " government used to shout that probably this (Article) 370 was responsible for terrorism in J&K. But for last three years, re has been no 370, and terrorism is still re, rar it is increasing." Abdullah even ded that Article 370 was scrapped on August 19, 2019 and state was downgred and bifurcated into two Union Territories . 

About Article 370

Article 370 of Indian constitution gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, ministered by India as a state from November 1952 to October 2019, and conferred on it power to have a separate constitution, a state flag, and autonomy of internal ministration. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at Centre removed Article 370 from J&K on August 5, 2019. 

Ghulam Nabi Az's words of praise for Centre

However, he praised central government for successfully controlling act of terrorism and stone pelting in Union Territory (UT). Responding to terror attacks undertaken in J&K's Poonch and Rajouri districts, which claimed lives of several defence personnel, DPAP chief said that incidents that happened in Poonch and Rajouri are a matter of great concern.

former-CM J&K said, " incidents that happened in Rajouri, Poonch are a matter of concern. Terrorism is not in anyone's interest. If peace will prevail in UT, it will only be beneficial for people here. For last 2-3 years tourists have increased in valley and central government deserves praise for bringing terrorism under control, which has boosted tourism here."

ding to it, Ghulam Nabi Az said that in wake of some recent terror activities, defence forces, J&K Police, central agencies and most importantly people of J&K need to be alert and join hands in eliminating terrorism. 

Earlier on Saturday, in presence of Democratic Progressive Az Party President Ghulam Nabi Az, National Panrs Party working president PR Ganju, along with businessman Surendra Kumar, Jogendra Pal Kohli, and ors joined DPAP. While welcoming new members, Az said that DPAP is only party in state which has prepared a romap to fulfill aspirations of people.