NC leaders, workers detained; protest foiled

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Sept 2: Several National Conference leaders and workers were detained today as police foiled their march toward the BJP headquarters here, demanding immediate restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, constitutional guarantees and special status.

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Scores of protesters gathered near Gindun Stadium and marched toward the BJP headquarters to stage a gherao. Police foiled the march before they could reach the office and detained several leaders and workers. The detainees were taken in police vehicles to Rajbagh Police Station and later released.

The protesters raised slogans demanding the restoration of statehood, Article 370 and Article 35A, which were revoked following the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019.

NC spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq said the party was protesting over three main issues - restoration of constitutional guarantees and special status, restoration of statehood and the pending reservation rationalisation issue.

"We demand the fulfilment of the promises which were made to us by the Prime Minister and the Home Minister on the floor of Parliament should be fulfilled," he said.

He said the reservation file was pending with the office of the Lieutenant Governor and should be cleared.

Minister Sakina Itoo said the protest was peaceful but was stopped by police. "We had a peaceful protest and the police foiled the protest. Some people were beaten and some people are injured," Itoo said, alleging that police used excessive force.

"The police are showing high-handedness and not allowing us to go anywhere. Article 370 and Article 35A are our rights. Statehood is our right and we want them back from those who have snatched them from us," she said.

Itoo also alleged that police had set up checkpoints to stop people from joining the protest, while BJP workers were allowed to move freely. Click here to watch video

"On a single signal, people in large numbers came here to protest. Police stopped them and many nakas were erected, while BJP people are roaming without any restriction," she said.

NC MLA Nazeer Ahmad Khan Gurezi said the party would continue to press the Centre to fulfill its commitments on statehood. He said it was unfortunate that Jammu and Kashmir was stripped of its statehood in 2019 and recalled that the prime minister and home minister had told Parliament that delimitation would be followed by elections and restoration of statehood.

"Today, NC leaders have come onto the streets and then the people will come out. When that happens, it will be difficult for them to handle," he said.

The NC leaders said the central government should fulfill its commitments and restore Jammu and Kashmir's full statehood without further delay.