Jammu: National Conference on Saturday pinned hopes on Lieutenant Governor (LG) designate Girish Chandra Murmu for restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir saying, “It should receive earnest and
priority attention”.
Pointing out the administrative experience of Girish Chandra Murmu, the party exuded confidence that Murmu will “try to understand the overwhelming sentiment and sensitivity of the people with
regard to restoration of the pristine glory of the state of Jammu and Kashmir and upholding their pride, dignity and unique identity”.
“Therefore, restoration of statehood to J&K should receive earnest and priority attention,” said senior National Conference leaders led by Jammu provincial president, Devender Singh Rana in a
joint statement issued from Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan.
Saying that the party is committed to its historic role, they said that it cannot remain mute spectator to the sufferings of the people, which have multiplied manifold in the recent months.
“It is in this context with a concern in mind we hope the change of guard in the Raj Bhavan will see the new incumbent reaching out to the people and making sincere effort in lessening their hurt
and mitigating their sufferings so that J&K ushers in a new era of confidence,” they said.
The NC leaders also hoped that Lieutenant Governor will utilize his proximity to the Prime Minister to bring some sort of normalcy in the turbulent region and work towards restoration of peace.
“End to communication blockade and lifting of restrictions on the liberty of the people is of paramount importance to achieve this objective,” they said while seeking immediate release of all
mainstream political leaders.
“We hope Murmu will analyse the situation on the ground with objectivity and take corrective measures with a sense of urgency to instil sense of confidence and security among the people,
especially in the Kashmir Valley, which is shut for over 85 days now,” said the statement and added “unprecedented situation calls for extra-ordinary measures to bridge the gap and end the feeling
of alienation and hurt”.
According to NC leaders, the Lt Governor should see the situation on the ground to sense the hurt and loss besides the extent of sufferings. This, according to them, will help the government of
India to take the corrective measures as may be required to assuage the aspirations of the vast mass of population.
The signatories to the joint statement included Ajay Kumar Sadhotra, Surjeet Singh Slathia, Rattan Lal Gupta, Th Rachpal Singh, Sajjad Ahmed Kitchloo,Javed Rana, Mushtaq Ahmed Bukhari, Babu
Rampaul, Sheikh Bashir Ahmad, Ajaz Jan, Th. Kashmira Singh, Tarlochan Singh Wazir, Brij Mohan Sharma, Dr Chaman Lal Bhagat and Vijay Bakaya, Abdul Gani Malik, Dr Kamal Arora, Bimla Luthra, Bushan
Lal Bhat, Deepender Kour, Dr Gagan Bhagat, Sheikh Abdul Rehman, Master Noor Hussain, Khalid Najeeb Suharwardhy, Mohammed Aslam Khan, Rahim Daad and other former legislators.

KR Desk