GCC urges centre to restore J&K's statehood at the earliest

Srinagar, Aug 18: The Group of Concerned Citizens, J&K (GCC), a non- political collective of civil society in J&K comprising of retired civil servants, academics and professionals from different fields on Sunday urged the centre to restore J&K's statehood at the earliest.

While welcoming the Election Commission of India's (ECI) decision to hold Assembly elections in J&K, the GCC said that it would pave a for an elected government after a huge gap of continuous central rule.

However, it said that the UT government will not be empowered to discharge its responsibilities towards the people and that the statehood to J&K should be restored at the earliest.

It also called for the conduct of free and fair elections, saying the UT administration would do so under the supervision of ECI in letter and spirit.

The GCC statement said that people of the UT have suffered a lot due to lack of representation since 2018.

In this behalf the statement made a mention of the commitment made by PM and HM about restoration of statehood and hoped that this commitment will be honoured without any more delay, said GCC vice chairman and the former advisor to the governor, Mr. Khurshid Ganai.