JAMMU, Jan 19 (KNS) : A coalition of socio-political organizations has issued a firm rejection of demands for separate statehood for Jammu, denouncing them as communally driven efforts to further fragment the region.
In a statement issued to the Kashmir News Service (KNS), the coalition's stance was articulated at the "JK Unity Conference," convened by the United Peace Alliance in collaboration with groups including the CPM, CPI, Lok Manch, IDP, and Akali Dal (Asr). Attendees and speakers, representing diverse regions and sub-regions of Jammu and Kashmir, unanimously condemned what they described as a renewed push by certain communal elements to sow division.
Conference participants asserted that the people of the region, particularly in Jammu, would "oppose any such demand tooth and nail." They linked the current statehood campaign to the same forces they hold responsible for the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status, its bifurcation, and its downgrade to a Union Territory in 2019.
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"The people of Jammu and Kashmir have paid a heavy price due to the ongoing conflict and political instability," speakers emphasized. "Further fragmentation is not the solution."
Mir Shahid Saleem, Chairman of the United Peace Alliance, announced a series of initiatives aimed at countering what he termed "fake narratives" promoted by communal groups seeking to divide the region.
Instead of division, the conference passed a resolution demanding a "permanent and peaceful political settlement" of the Jammu and Kashmir issue. They insisted that this must be achieved through a comprehensive dialogue process involving all stakeholders.
The event featured addresses by a broad spectrum of leaders, including ID Khajuria, Ghulam Ahmed, Comrade Rakesh, Syed Saleem Gilani, Col. Mustafa, Kulbhushan Singh, and Dr. Amar Chand Bhagat, among others. (KNS)