Full statehood for J-K, restoration of Articles 370, 35-A among 7 resolutions passed by NC
Jammu (PTI): A demand for the restoration of full statehood of Jammu and Kashmir along with the provisions of Articles 370 and 35-A of the constitution were among the seven resolutions passed by the National Conference on Tuesday in a meeting here chaired by party president Farooq Abdullah.
Its other demands included restoration of the 'darbar move' practice, special package for the tourism industry, employment for youth, implementation of the Mandal Commission recommendations in Jammu and Kashmir, a legal guarantee of minimum support price for crops and slashing prices of essential commodities.
The resolutions were adopted at a day-long convention of the NC's central zone, comprising the Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts, held at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan here.
The party alleged that Jammu and Kashmir has been "downgraded and downsized by bifurcating it into two Union Territories disrupting the social fabric, integrity and composite culture of the erstwhile state."
"The three regions of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir were having different languages and cultures which were being shared and enjoyed by the people of all three regions equally and peacefully," the NC said.
It stressed the resolution calling for the restoration of full statehood along with Articles 370 and 35-A was in the "larger interest" of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. It was aimed at unity, integrity, peace, progress and communal harmony for the people, the party said.
"It is also imperative to safeguard the jobs and land of the people of Jammu and Kashmir for the people of Jammu and Kashmir which is only possible with the restoration of the pre-August 5, 2019 situation," the resolution stated.
Another resolution called for the restoration of the 149-year-old tradition of 'darbar move', under which the government functioned from Srinagar and Jammu for six months each. The practice was ended by the administration under the Lt Governor last year.
"Around 8,000-9,000 employees working in civil secretariats, with headquarters in Jammu and Srinagar, used to shift from one headquarter to another. It was a unique practice which had strengthened the relations of the people in the two regions sharing their culture, secular fabric and socialism as well.
"The move used to boost economic activities as well in both the capitals. Ending this practice not only will shatter communal harmony, brotherhood and strong relations between Dogra, Kashmiri and Ladakhi culture but has also brought commercial activities to a standstill," the resolution read.
Another resolution demanding a special package for the tourism industry was passed by the NC. The party promised that, if voted to power, it would redress the grievances of the tourism industry and will explore more tourism places in Jammu as well as Kashmir regions.
The resolution legal guarantee of MSP said, "As the farming community has been fighting for passage of legislation for MSP, the National Conference supports their just and genuine demand."
It also demanded compensation to the farmers for the damage to their crops due to hailstorms and torrential rains.
"The farmers are being harassed and tortured by snatching away their lands under cultivation forcing them to adopt the path of agitation. We stand with these farmers and appeal to the government to defer this campaign till a popular government is established in Jammu and Kashmir," the NC said.
Claiming the unemployment rate in Jammu and Kashmir was at an "all-time high" of 22.2 per cent and the highest among all the Union Territories and the states, the party demanded adequate employment opportunities for the youth.
"The government must review its employment policy and must absorb all those at the verge of becoming over-age," the resolution said.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
