SRINAGAR: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the ruling National Conference (NC) held separate protests in Srinagar on Wednesday, with police stopping both parties from marching towards their intended destinations.
The BJP demonstration began in Lal Chowk, from where party leaders and workers marched towards Jahangir Chowk before police intercepted the procession and prevented it from proceeding towards the Civil Secretariat.
The NC held its protest in Rajbagh and planned to march towards the BJP headquarters. Police stopped the procession before it could reach the party office.
Security personnel were deployed at both locations to regulate the gatherings and prevent the rival groups from coming together. Officials said there were no general restrictions on movement across Srinagar.
Addressing the BJP gathering, Leader of Opposition in the JK Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma accused the NC-led government of failing to address public concerns relating to electricity, drinking water, roads and employment.
Sharma also referred to rising electricity bills and alleged that several assurances made by the NC during the Assembly elections had not been fulfilled. He questioned Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over statehood and challenged the government to seek a fresh mandate from the people on the issue.
BJP JK president and Rajya Sabha MP Sat Sharma said the protest was intended to highlight what he described as shortcomings in the NC government’s functioning. He alleged growing public dissatisfaction with the administration and said the government should address people’s 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 Union government of commitments made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Sadiq said the NC sought restoration of statehood, constitutional safeguards and rationalisation of the reservation system, besides measures addressing issues concerning the youth. He said the planned march was directed at the BJP leadership in Delhi and was not intended against the party’s local leadership.
NC leader and Education Minister Sakina Itoo said the party would continue its campaign for restoration of what it described as the rights and safeguards of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“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 through peaceful and democratic means.
Itoo also alleged that several NC workers faced difficulties while travelling to the protest venue.
Chief Minister’s Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani highlighted statehood and rationalisation of reservations as key issues, particularly for young people. He said the party had been waiting for action on these matters and questioned the delay in addressing them.
The two protests remained separate and peaceful despite the political exchanges. Police prevented both processions from advancing towards the Civil Secretariat and BJP headquarters respectively.
