J&K poll process has begun, says PM

Asserts that walls of Article 370 have been brought down and Constitution implemented

- FAYAZ WANIC

IN his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir after securing power for the third time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hinted at holding of Assembly elections and restoration of statehood to J&K Union Territory and asserted that walls of Article 370 have been brought down and Constitution implemented in true spirit in the region.

He said no stone would be left unturned to teach a lesson to enemies of J&K and asserted they are making efforts to remove distances whether of the heart or of Delhi ('Dil ya Dilli').

"I am delighted that today we are living the Constitution of India. Through the Constitution, we are finding new ways to change the face of Kashmir for good," he said while addressing 'Empowering Youth, Transforming J&K' programme at SKICC on banks of Dal Lake in Srinagar after his arrival on a two-day visit to Kashmir. He said the Constitution has finally been adopted by J&K in the true sense.

On August 9, 2019, the Centre scrapped Articles 370 and 35A and bifurcated J&K state into two Union Territories.