‘No statehood till peace prevails in Kashmir’

SRINAGAR — BJP on Saturday made it clear that no statehood will be restored till peace completely prevails in Kashmir.

“Prime Minister and Home Minister have already made it clear on the floor of the house that Jammu and Kashmir won’t be given statehood back, till militancy is over in Valley,” BJP Secretary for Jammu and Kashmir Ashok Koul said.

Koul said that statehood will be restored and uninterrupted Internet service will also be there when militants cease to exist and there will be peace all across Kashmir Valley. “When everyone including us (BJP workers) will be able to roam freely, Jammu Kashmir will get its statehood back,” he said.

In response to a question, Koul said that regional parties in Jammu and Kashmir will come out like frogs when date for elections will be announced.

“These parties boycotted ULB and Panchayat polls but contested Parliament elections. Let date for Assembly polls be declared, these parties will come out like frogs,” Koul said.

He said political process will soon start in Jammu and Kashmir.