Jammu and Kashmir

No signature of Sheikh Abdullah on ‘Instrument of Accession’

Srinagar, Sep 3,: In a startling revelation that has come from Archives of India, the founder of National Conference Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah is not the signatory of ‘Instrument of Accession’. The information obtained by social activist Advocate Irfan Hafeez Lone through Ministry of Home Government of India, under Right to Information Act, Archives of India has submitted that Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah was not signatory of Instrument of Accession while the accession document carried the signatures of Maharaja Hari Singh and the the Governor General of India.

     “There is a common perception that Sheikh Abdullah signed the Instrument of Accession but the information received by me from Archives of India clearly maintains that Sheikh has not signed the Accession Document. Besides, the contents of the document makes it clear that Jammu and Kashmir unlike other states have only acceded and merged with India,” Lone told news agency CNS.

     “It is for the first time the information about the Instrument of Accession has been made public by Government of India. The Instrument of Accession signed by Maharaja Hari Singh makes it clear that India has no right to extend any amendment or to extend its authority over Jammu and Kashmir beyond the three subjects viz: Defence, External Affairs and Communications,” he said. (CNS)#ksradhakrishnanposting