Srinagar, Aug 23 (KNS): National Conference Vice-President and former chief minister J&K Omar Abdullah Wednesday expressed his gratitude to all advocates who stood with the people of J&K and defended Article-370 in the Supreme Court.

Omar Abdullah while talking to reporters in Srinagar said "I am grateful to all advocates who stood with the people of J&K and defended Article-370 in the Supreme Court".

Notably the five-member bench of Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud had initiated the proceedings on pleas challenging abrogation of Article 370 and 35(A) two weeks ago. The Government of India on August 05, 2019 nullified the special status of J&K and downgraded the erstwhile State into two Union Territories - J&K and Ladakh.

Omar told reporters that "I am satisfied with the proceedings and believes we couldn't have done better than the way our advocates had put forth arguments before the five-member bench in defense of Article-370 and 35(A). From Kapil Sibal to Gopal Shankar Narayan, everyone defended well and with valid arguments".

He said now the ball is in the court of five-member bench and we are hopeful the people of Jammu and Kashmir will get justice from the Supreme Court.

The former chief minister at the occasion hoped for the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3. "We are hopeful of successful landing of Chandrayaan-3. With this, India will become first country to land probe on south pole of moon," Omar said. (KNS)