New Delhi, June 26, 2021 (PPI-OT):Senior leader of Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami, has reiterated the party’s demand for the full restoration of the statehood of the territory. Yousuf Tarigami, who attended the All-Party Meeting with the Indian Prime Minister on Thursday, in an interview in New Delhi said that leaders had not gone to seek elections but to restore the rights of the people as promised by the Constitution.

“We are not ruling out elections in Kashmir but what will happen to the people who have aspirations and demands? No assurance has been given by the Indian government. The Home Minister talked about statehood in his counter speech. The Prime Minister assured in and outside the Parliament that statehood will be restored. So when will it happen? If we wait for the statehood then we can wait for the election as well,” he said.

He added, “As far as my opinion goes, we did not come to the meeting called by the Prime Minister to seek elections. We came to restore the rights which we think the Constitution of India had decided for us. These were taken without asking us.”

He further said that he had come to Delhi with high hopes but would be returning empty-handed. “I think it will still be appropriate for the country to take concrete steps to build trust among people of Jammu and Kashmir. We had come here with the hope to take back something for the people, but we’re leaving empty-handed,” he added. Tarigami demanded the release of the elderly and sick from jail and urged the Modi government to take concrete steps to restore the economy that has suffered due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and help businessmen, labourers and farmers who have suffered due to the lockdown.

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