Article 370: Awami Ittehad Party's Sheikh Abdul Rashid calls for special House session

SRINAGAR: Awami Ittehad Party president Sheikh Abdul Rashid today called for a special session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly to pass a resolution demanding complete restoration of the autonomy which the state enjoys under Article 370 of the Constitution of India.

"I have written to the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is also the leader of the House, to call a special session of the Assembly and pass a resolution demanding complete restoration of the autonomy and special status which the state enjoys by virtue of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution," Rashid told reporters here.

Rashid, an independent MLA form north Kashmir's Langate constituency, said since the special status of the state has been gradually eroded, it is imperative that the Assembly takes steps to restore it in its original form as per the Constitution and safeguard it.

"The state Legislative Assembly must make it clear that autonomy is not the final resolution of the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, but complete restoration of it will pave way in that direction," he said, adding "I volunteer myself to move this resolution in the House."

He called upon ruling National Conference (NC) and opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP) to unite in the fight for the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

The row over Article 370 of the Indian Constitution rose after the MoS in the PMO Jitendra Singh declared two days back that the new government at the Centre has started the process for repealing the provision. Singh has since said he has been "misquoted".