Major parties in Kashmir unite to fight for return of autonomy

Major political parties in India-occupied Kashmir announced a grand alliance on Thursday to seek a peaceful restoration of autonomy after India s release of the last political leader from lengthy detention.  Our battle is a constitutional battle. We want the government of India to return to the people of the state [of Kashmir] the rights they held before August 5th_ 2019_ Farooq Abdullah_ former chief minister of Indian-administered Kashmir_ said on Thursday. Abdullah was talking to reporters after a meeting of the disputed region s main parties  the National Conference_ the People s Democratic Party_ the People s Conference_ the Awami National Conference and the Communist Party of India (Marxist)  was held at his residence in the main city of Srinagar. On Tuesday_ the government ordered the release of another former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti after a 14-month detention and she and other leaders promptly called for a campaign to restore Indian-administered Kashmir s special rights. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi s government revoked the Muslim-majority region s special status last year_ cracked down on opposition and rounded up hundreds of people to forestall protests. Modi s government said at the time that ending Kashmir s special status was necessary for closer integration of the Himalayan mountain territory into the rest of India. After revoking Kashmir s autonomy_ the New Delhi government imposed a communication blackout with mobiles phones_ internet links and landlines cut as part of its crackdown. Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah_ also a former chief minister_ were released by authorities earlier this year.