Srinagar: Deputy Chief Minister of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Surinder Kumar Chaudhry, has affirmed the National Conference’s commitment to restoring statehood to the region, emphasizing that Jammu and Kashmir should be recognized as a state rather than a Union Territory.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Surinder Kumar Chaudhry stated to reporters, “We are clear on our stand for the restoration of statehood. We will continue to fight against the forces who downgraded J and K to a Union Territory.” His remarks highlight the ongoing efforts by the National Conference to reverse the changes imposed on the region’s status.

Further elaborating on the issue, Chaudhry mentioned that Home Minister Amit Shah acknowledged in Parliament that land and jobs in Jammu and Kashmir belong to its residents. However, Chaudhry pointed out that safeguarding these rights would require a special status for the region, which contradicts Shah’s own statements. He noted that Shah did not oppose the National Conference’s resolution advocating for the return of special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

Chaudhry also criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for not addressing critical issues in the Assembly. He questioned why land and jobs were being allocated to outsiders rather than locals and expressed concerns about the sand mafia exploiting the region’s resources. He stressed the need for an investigation into the influence of retired officers from outside the region who are acquiring property in Jammu and Kashmir, which he believes should belong to its residents.