Jammu & Kashmir BJP General Secretary Ashok Koul said on Thursday that a final decision regarding the restoration of statehood in Jammu and Kashmir will only be made if militant attacks, such as the one in Gagangeer, Ganderbal, cease.
He said that both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have mentioned the restoration of statehood, but the timing will depend on the security situation.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar at an event honoring Pandit Prem Nath Dogra, Koul stated, “The central government and security agencies will decide when statehood should be restored, and it will only happen when attacks like Gagangeer stop.”
He continued that if the Gagangeer attack had occurred at a different time, there could have been hundreds of casualties.
Koul condemned the attack and acknowledged that leaders like Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti had criticized the incident, though he noted Mehbooba’s statement was more reserved. He stressed that such attacks aim to disrupt the peace in J&K.
He also pointed out that violence is spreading, with previous incidents targeting civilians in Kathua, Reasi, and Rajouri, and now in Kashmir. Referring to an attack in Tral, where a non-local laborer was injured, Koul expressed deep concern.
Regarding talks with Pakistan, Koul firmly stated that no dialogue could take place unless Pakistan hands over militant leaders like Syed Salahudin to India. On the subject of Article 370, Koul reiterated that it cannot be reinstated, and no government in J&K can change that decision. (KNS)
