Article 370 responsible for lack of development in JK: BJYM

Varanasi, Jan 16 (PTI) BJP''s youth wing, BhartiyaJanta Yuva Morcha (BJYM) today demanded that the Armed ForcesSpecial Powers Act (AFSPA) should not be diluted from Jammuand Kashmir and Article 370 that gives special status to thestate be abrogated.

BJYM national president and BJP MP Anurag Thakur, whowas leading the Kolkata-to-Kashmir Rashtriya Ekta Yatra tounfurl the national flag at Lal Chowk in Srinagar on January26 after a gap of 18 years, said the Article 370 was aresponsible for lack of development in Jammu and Kashmir.

"The gap between the state and rest of the countrycannot be bridged without abrogating the Article," Thakur toldreporters here.

Thakur, also the son of Himachal Pradesh ChiefMinister Prem Kumar Dhumal, accused the Centre of failing tocontain violence during the five months of unrest in theValley and demanded that the Centre should not dilute AFSPA asit would demoralise the security forces.

Thakur also said that "Kashmiri Pandits should berehabilitated with dignity in the Valley".

The yatra began on January 12.