As the J&K Delimitation Commission arrived in Srinagar on Tuesday on its four-day consultation tour of the Union Territory (UT), Kashmir-based political parties questioned the timing of the exercise and expressed fears of it being “politically motivated”. We request the delimitation exercise be free, fair and transparent, so that the unity and integrity of the State is safeguarded. Boycotting the exercise, PDP general secretary Ghulam Nabi Hanjura, wrote an open letter to the Commission. The fact that while the delimitation process across the country has been put on hold till 2026, J&K has been made an exception. The initiation of political and democratic dialogue must begin with restoration of civil liberties of political parties and people.”The Congress demanded that the draft proposal prepared by the Commission be distributed among all the political parties for giving suggestions and submitting objections.

Source: The Hindu July 06, 2021 16:52 UTC