The signatories of Gupkar Declaration-2019, including former Chief ministers Dr Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti are among the leaders attending the meeting on Thursday called to chalk out the further course of action with regards to revocation of special status of J&K by the Centre.

Barring Congress all the signatories of the declaration this afternoon arrived at the Gupkar residence of Dr Abdullah , where large number of security forces were deployed. Media persons were also kept at a distance to take photographs of leaders attending the meeting.

The development comes two days after former chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti was released on Tuesday evening after remaining under detention for about 14 months.

Dr Abdullah after meeting Mehbooba yesterday, announced to hold meeting of Gupkar Declaration signatories at his house at 1600 hrs on Thursday. After meeting Mehbooba at her residence on Wednesday, NC Vice President Omar Abdullah said that the PDP president has accepted the invitation to join a meeting of the Gupkar Declaration signatories today. 

Besides Mehbooba the other leaders who arrived for the meeting included Peoples Conference (PC) president Sajjad Gani Lone, CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami and Awami National Conference (ANC). However, Congress, which was also signatory of Gupkar Declaration on August 4, 2019 was missing this time.

The Declaration was signed at the residence of Dr Farooq on August 4, 2019, a day ahead of scrapping of Article 370 and Article 35A and bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories by NDA government led by BJP.

The resolution passed during the all-party meeting said the parties unanimously resolved that they would be united in their effort to protect and defend the identity, autonomy and special status of Jammu and Kashmir against all attacks and onslaughts.

However, one of the signatories – Shah Faesal – has withdrawn from the declaration after he parted ways from politics.