PDP to Hold District-Level Protests on August 5 Seeking Restoration of Article 370

Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday directed party leaders and workers to participate in district-level protests across Jammu and Kashmir on August 5 to mark the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370. The protests will call for the restoration of Article 370 and the release of political prisoners, the party said in a statement. The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Mehbooba Mufti and attended by senior party leaders, MLAs, and district presidents of the party's parent, women and youth wings. Following the meeting, the PDP issued instructions asking all office-bearers to ensure active participation in the planned demonstrations across the Union Territory. "As decided by PDP president Mehbooba Mufti during today's meeting with senior party leaders, MLAs, and district presidents of the parent, women and youth wings, all party functionaries are directed to ensure active participation in the district-level protests across Jammu and Kashmir on August 5 in support of the restoration of Article 370," the party said in its statement. Article 370, which granted special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, was abrogated by the Centre on August 5, 2019. The PDP has since continued to demand its restoration along with the reinstatement of full statehood and the release of political detainees.