Srinagar, Aug 10(KNS): Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad has called for restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood before assembly elections are held and batted for land and job rights for its residents. 

The Senior Congress leader said that the BJP party treated the people of jammu and Kashmir in an unprecedented manner in the world as it set an example here that has never been established since 1947 after abrogation of special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution and its bifurcation into union territories.

"On August 4, 2019, the government detained around 16,000 people here, including many political leaders and former chief ministers, " he said adding that Our land and job (rights), which were taken away after Article 370 was revoked, should be secured like they were before (August 5, 2019) through a new law when the statehood is restored," he said.

"The elections in jammu and kashmir should be conducted as soon as possible. But before the elections, the statehood should be fully restored, which is very important for everyone here, " he said. 

Azad went to Hazratbal shrine here to pay obeisance. Later, he joined Gandhi at the inauguration of Congress Bhawan at MA Road(KNS).