Talking to Srinagar friends to buy land there: Gorakhpur MLA

Amid jubilation by the BJP cadres over scrapping of Article 370 which gave Jammu and Kashmir special status, the local party MLA on Monday said he has already begun the process of buying land in Kashmir.

"I have initiated the process to buy land in Kashmir and have spoken to my friend Yasir there in this regard," said a jubilant Gorakhpur MLA Radha Mohan Das Agarwal, celebrating the revocation of the controversial constitutional provision and distributing sweets.

"It is the beginning of a new era in the country," said an euphoric Agarwal.

"Since Independence, the locals in Kashmir had been facing double whammy. They had to tolerate the hooliganism of the anti- national politicians. And the youths had to join groups of stone pelters as bonded labourers, often suffering bullet injuries from the paramilitary forces," he said.

"It's a historical day today as we have realised the dream of Syama Prasad Mookerjee who envisaged one Constitution and one symbol for the nation," said Agarwal.

Hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking the bold step of abrogating the Article 370 of the Constitution, he said, "The prime minister's decision is a true tribute to the hundreds of soldiers and nationalists who sacrificed their lives to keep Kashmir intact with the country."