JAMMU: Dozens of ruling National Conference (NC) activists were detained on Wednesday while attempting to march towards the BJP headquarters in Trikuta Nagar as part of a protest demanding restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Led by NC Jammu provincial president Rattan Lal Gupta, the protesters assembled at Trikuta Nagar market and began moving towards the nearby BJP headquarters to stage a gherao.
A large police contingent deployed in the area stopped the marchers near barricades. Officials said the protesters attempted to cross the barricades, following which they were detained and taken in two vehicles to the District Police Lines.
The police action effectively foiled the proposed gherao of the BJP office.
Prominent among those detained were Rattan Lal Gupta, NC provincial secretary Sheikh Bashir Ahmad and former minister Ajay Sadhotra.
Earlier, an NC spokesperson said the party planned to peacefully gherao the BJP headquarters to seek accountability over commitments made by the Union Government in Parliament and before the Supreme Court.
“Our demands are clear — constitutional guarantees, restoration of statehood, clearance of the reservation file and justice for the people of J&K,” the spokesperson said.
Protesters carried placards with slogans including “Restore Statehood,” “BJP failed to raise the voice of J&K,” “BJP failed to bring employment package” and “BJP creating hurdles for statehood.”
The NC said the mandate given by the people of Jammu and Kashmir could not be treated as a “blank cheque” and called for the commitments made to the people to be honoured.
“The mandate of the people of J&K is not a blank cheque. It must be respected, not taken for granted,” the spokesperson said.
