Centre should restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir immediately, so that many issues can be resolved: Farooq

National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Friday reiterated his demand for immediate restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, saying it would prove to be an important step towards resolving many issues facing the region. After paying obeisance at Gurdwara Sahib in Chand Nagar on the occasion of the 555th Prakash Parv of Guru Nanak Dev, Abdullah expressed hope for greater political representation of the Sikh community and said that one day Sikhs will have a role not only in the government but also in the assembly, so that they can effectively raise and resolve their issues. The senior NC leader was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary and Cabinet Minister Javed Rana. Abdullah said, the central government should restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir as soon as possible, as it will solve most of our problems. Urging the Sikh community to take inspiration from Guru Nanak Dev, he said, on this holy day, strongly demand that our condition improves and we are free from the dominance of bureaucracy. Criticising the bureaucratic administration, Abdullah said, “In the past, officials did not listen to the people. But today, people look up to ministers, expecting them to address their concerns and take the right decisions.” Recalling his previous tenure (as Jammu and Kashmir chief minister), Abdullah said, “When I returned as chief minister in 1996, my first priority was to ensure your representation, because you deserve to have your voice heard.