MoS' remarks amount to endangering country's integrity: National Conference

SRINAGAR: The ruling National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir today condemned the remarks of minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh on Article 370, saying these have hurt the people of the state and amount to endangering the security and integrity of the country.

"The core group of the party met here and condemned the statement of the MoS in strong words. The meeting concluded the statement amounts to endangering the country's security and integrity," NC leader and Rural Development minister Ali Mohammad Sagar told reporters.

He said when the NC talked about pre-1953 position, it was sharply criticised, but today "the BJP is talking about 1947 position".

"The sentiments of the people of Jammu and Kashmir have been hurt by the statement," Sagar said.

He said the core group is of the view that all political parties should condemn the statement irrespective of their political affiliations. The Union government should also think that it was the first day of the new dispensation and such remarks amount to challenging the special status of the state as guaranteed by the Indian Constitution, Sagar said.