Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah led a protest, joined by National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, in the national capital riding an auto-rickshaw on Monday to press for J&K’s statehood as the National Conference stepped up the demand with party workers holding placards demanding restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s political rights. The protest drew dozens of party legislators, MPs and senior leaders.
Carrying placards with slogans like “Restore rights and dignity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir”, the protesters marched towards Jantar Mantar, but were stopped by the police before they could reach the designated protest site.
Talking to reporters, Omar said the demonstration was aimed at reminding the Central government of its commitment to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. “We have come here to remind the central government that it had promised both in Parliament and before the Supreme Court that statehood would be restored to Jammu and Kashmir immediately after the elections. The Supreme Court also said it should be restored at the earliest. If they do not want to honour the Supreme Court’s order, they should say so categorically,” he said.
Omar said the Centre had repeatedly told them that statehood would be restored at an “appropriate time”, but had never explained what constituted an appropriate time. He said they came to New Delhi the national capital to peacefully protest for their democratic rights but were prevented from doing so.
Omar alleged that the police used tear gas against the protesters when they attempted to march towards the Constitution Club. He took an autorickshaw from Jantar Mantar, accompanied by his two sons, saying his walk was drawing supporters and was about to turn into another procession.
He said he could not reach the Constitution Club, where National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and Left leaders D Raja and M A Baby addressed the gathering. Omar had returned to Jammu on Sunday after cutting short his visit to New Delhi to review the situation in the flood-hit districts of Rajouri and Poonch. He flew back to the national capital on Monday to participate in the protest. The demonstration was also attended by Congress and Left leaders.
Also read: Omar accuses Centre of blocking Jantar Mantar protest
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