Srinagar:The Peoples Alliance for Gukpar Declaration (PAGD) meeting began on Tuesday to discuss the prevailing situation and chalk out future plan of action in the summer capital, Srinagar.
PAGD leaders and workers — including from National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), CPI (M), Awani National Conference (ANC) and Peoples Movement — met at the residence of its chairman Dr Farooq Abdullah on Gupkar road at around 1100 hrs on Tuesday.
“PAGD workers meet will begin at 1100 hrs on Tuesday at Dr Farooq Abdullah’s residence. All party members, who are invited to attend the meeting, are requested to be punctual,” Vice chairperson of the alliance Mehbooba Mufti wrote on micro-blogging site twitter.
PAGD spokesperson Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami said that PAGD leaders will brief media after conclusion of the meeting at around 1300 hrs.
Sources said that the prevailing situation will be discussed during the meeting, adding future plan of action will also be chalked out. “Leaders and workers representing all the alliance partners are participating in the meeting. These leaders are from the length and breadth of Kashmir valley,” they added.
This is the first time since the formation of the alliance that leaders, representing the PAGD parties in different parts of Kashmir valley, are holding a joint meeting.
The Centre on August 5, 2019 abrogated Article 370 besides dividing the erstwhile state into two Union Territories (UTs) – J&K and Ladakh. Hundreds of politicians, including three former chief ministers – Omar Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti – activities and separatist leaders were placed under preventive detention and later booked under Public Safety Act (PSA) for several months. The PAGD was formed ‘to strive for erstwhile state’s position before August 5, 2019, including restoration of the special status and statehood’.