Ahead of J&K visit, NSA briefs EU panel on Kashmir

NSA Ajit Doval on Monday briefed the 28-member European parliamentary panel on Jammu and Kashmir, ahead of their visit to the Valley on Tuesday.

NSA highlighted a number of facts about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir which countered false propaganda by Pakistan. He briefed the delegation about the fact that there are no restrictions on movement, 100 per cent landline and mobile phones are functional in Jammu and Kashmir. He also stated that there is no shortage of essential supplies and medical care is available.

He told the panel that all hospitals are functional.

He also said that in spite of terrorists trying to disrupt normalcy in the Valley by targeting innocent civilians, the state government has made all efforts to ensure normal functioning of the economy, and educational institutions.

He also gave the delegation a historical perspective on Kashmir issue. How the issue emerged and evolved.

Here are the following points the NSA raised

• MPs were explained about the the accession of State of J&K into India.
• Pakistan violated its Standstill agreement with princely state of J&K and sent invaders supported by regular Pak Army to forcefully annex J&K.
• State of J&K signed instrument of Accession with India following exactly the same legal procedure as by 550 other princely States. Accession of J&K predates inclusion of Art 370 in Constitution.
• Article 1 of Indian Constitution identifies J&K as one of the Indian States. This was further reiterated by J&K state legislature.
• NSA highlighted that Art 370 was a temporary provision and had been amended earlier too.It is the only temporary article out of 395 Articles of Constitution.
• Pakistan never objected to inclusion of J&K as a state of Indian Union, temporary nature of Art 370 and its subsequent amendments. Moreover, Constitution making and amendments are sovereign function of a State.
• NSA briefed about how Article 370 promoted secessionist tendencies, ensured discrimination and was roadblock to application of progressive laws of Indian Union in State of J&K.