Srinagar, Sep 2 (NVI) The BJP and the ruling National Conference held separate protests here on Wednesday, with police stopping both parties from marching towards their respective destinations.
The BJP organised a demonstration in Lal Chowk, from where its leaders and workers began a procession towards Jahangir Chowk. The protesters sought to proceed towards the Civil Secretariat but were stopped by police at Jahangir Chowk.
Meanwhile, the National Conference held a separate demonstration in Rajbagh and planned to march towards the BJP headquarters. Police intercepted the procession before it could reach its destination.
Security personnel were deployed at both locations to regulate the gatherings and prevent the rival processions from coming face-to-face. Officials said there were no general restrictions on movement in the city.
Addressing BJP workers, Leader of Opposition in the J-K Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma accused the NC government of failing to address issues related to electricity, drinking water, roads, employment and rising power bills.
He alleged that several assurances made by the NC during the Assembly elections had not been fulfilled.
Sharma also questioned Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over the restoration of statehood and challenged the government to seek a fresh mandate from the people on the issue.
BJP J-K president and Rajya Sabha MP Sat Sharma said the protest was aimed at highlighting what he described as shortcomings in the functioning of the NC government.
He alleged growing dissatisfaction among the people and said the government should either address public concerns or make way for an alternative.
At Rajbagh, NC Chief Spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq said the party’s demonstration was aimed at reminding the BJP-led Centre of its commitments to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The NC sought restoration of statehood, constitutional safeguards and rationalisation of the reservation system, besides measures to address issues concerning the youth.
Sadiq said the proposed march was directed at drawing the attention of the BJP leadership at the Centre and was not aimed at the party’s local leadership.
NC leader and Education Minister Sakina Itoo said the party would continue to pursue its demands through peaceful and democratic means.
“For us, every day is a day of protest,” Itoo said, reiterating the NC’s demand for restoration of Article 370, Article 35A and statehood.
Chief Minister’s Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani also highlighted statehood and rationalisation of reservations as key issues, particularly for the younger generation.
Both demonstrations remained peaceful despite the political rhetoric, with police preventing the processions from advancing towards the Civil Secretariat and BJP office respectively.(NVI)
