MODI TALKS WITH KASHMIR LEADERS, 2 YEARS AFTER AXING AUTONOMY

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was committed to restoring an elected government in Jammu and Kashmir, at his first meeting with local leaders since New Delhi revoked the Muslim-majority region's semi-autonomous status in 2019, Sunrita Sen reported for Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa).

The face-to-face meeting at the prime minister's residence was attended by leaders representing regional and mainstream parties including four former chief ministers, three of whom were among the thousands jailed on the eve of August 5, 2019.

On that day, the erstwhile state was stripped of special powers like the right to its own constitution, flag and some administrative rights. The state was also divided into two federally administered territories – Ladakh, and Jammu and Kashmir.

The Modi government has said the move was needed to speed up development in the region and stop militancy.

Besides arresting local politicians to stem protests, New Delhi also imposed a lockdown on movement and communications, which was gradually lifted many months later.

Thursday's meeting is seen as an attempt to engage the regional leaders in a political process before holding elections in Jammu and Kashmir and restoring its statehood. India has faced significant international pressure to restore democratic processes in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Our priority is to strengthen grassroots democracy in J&K. Delimitation has to happen at a quick pace so that polls can happen and J&K gets an elected Government that gives strength to J&K’s development trajectory,” Modi posted on Twitter after the meeting.

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