Dialogue with all stakeholders can solve J&K crisis, 370 to stay, will review AFSPA: Azad

JAMMU: Former chief minister and Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad on Thursday said that dialogue with all stakeholders can solve the crisis in Jammu and Kashmir while the Article 370 will stay in the state and the Congress party will review Armed Forces Special Powers Act in the state.
“We will appointment three interlocutors from the civil society and we also have previous report on Jammu and Kashmir submitted by the interlocutors appointed earlier,” Mr Azad here told reporters at a press conference before releasing the manifesto.
He said that the Congress party will involve all stakeholders to solve the crisis, adding, “there will be pre-conditions to hold dialogue because we want to listen everyone and their viewpoints before taking any decision.”
“If our government comes into centre, we will also hold free and fair Assembly polls at the earliest,” he said and added that Article 370 is not going anywhere and will stay.
Mr Azad added that the Congress party will also review Armed Forces (Special Powers) Acts (AFSPA) and Disturbed Areas Act (DAA) in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and any decision taken will be in the interest of the security forces and the people.
He, however, also asserted that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country.

(AGENCIES)