JAMMU: The Congress and National Conference held separate protest rallies in Jammu on Tuesday to mark the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 as a “Black Day” and demanded the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and constitutional safeguards.
Police prevented protesters from marching towards the city centre, leading to brief jostling between party workers and security personnel at different locations.
The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee organised a demonstration near Shaheedi Chowk, where leaders and workers raised slogans against the Centre and accused it of depriving the people of their democratic and constitutional rights.
Congress workers carrying party flags attempted to march ahead but were stopped by police.
Party leaders demanded the immediate restoration of statehood and safeguards for land, employment and other rights.
“We want our statehood back. Our jobs, land and rights must be protected. Instead of listening to our democratic demands, the government is stopping us from protesting,” a Congress leader told reporters.
The leader said the party would continue its agitation until statehood was restored to Jammu and Kashmir.
Another Congress leader described August 5, 2019, as a “painful day” in the region’s history and alleged that the people had been deprived of their special status, opportunities and constitutional rights.
The National Conference held a separate demonstration near Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan. Party leaders and workers carried flags and placards and wore black badges.
Police stopped the NC workers from marching ahead, resulting in brief jostling with security personnel.
NC leaders reiterated their demand for restoration of statehood and constitutional protections.
“The decision taken on August 5, 2019, behind closed doors will never be accepted by the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We are not demanding anything new; we only want the rights taken away from us in 2019 to be restored,” an NC leader said.
Responding to the BJP’s assertion that the abrogation of Article 370 had helped curb terrorism, the leader questioned why militant attacks and casualties among security personnel continued.
“If terrorism ended with the abrogation of Article 370, why are security personnel still being martyred and why are attacks continuing?” the leader asked.
