AGARTALA, Aug 8 (TIWN): Chief Minister Biplab Deb has listened to PM Narendra Modi’s address to the Nation on removal of Article 370 & 35A from Jammu and Kashmir, bifurcating Ladakh from J&K and making both Union Territories. He has shared glimpses of the moment in social media.

Modi says that the concern of people of Jammu and Kashmir is also the concern of every countryman and “their happiness, sorrow and their suffering are no different from us.” He says that while most Kashmiri brothers have welcomed the “freedom from Article 370”, only a handful of people, supported by Pakistan, are trying to disrupt the peace. He expresses confidence that people of Kashmir will stand up and give such people an answer.

Accepting that the decision has not been universally praised, the Prime Minister says it is very natural in a democracy that some people are in favour of this decision and some have differences over it. He says he respects their differences as well as their objections. The central government is also responding to the debate on it as this is our democratic responsibility, he says. Urging the critics to keep “national interest” paramount, he says that everyone must help the government give Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh a new direction.