JAMMU, Aug 5: The Congress and the National Conference (NC) on Wednesday staged separate protest demonstrations in Jammu on the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, observing the day as a “Black Day” and reiterating demands for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and constitutional safeguards.
The protests, held at different locations in the city, saw party workers raising slogans against the Centre and demanding the restoration of constitutional protections for land, jobs and other rights. Police prevented both groups from marching towards the city centre, leading to brief scuffles and jostling with protesters.
The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) organised a demonstration near Shaheedi Chowk, where senior leaders and party workers accused the Centre of depriving the people of Jammu and Kashmir of their democratic and constitutional rights.
Congress workers carrying party flags attempted to proceed towards the city centre but were stopped by police.
Addressing the gathering, Congress leaders called for the immediate restoration of statehood and constitutional safeguards, alleging that people had been stripped of their rights over land, employment and natural resources.
“We want our statehood back. Our jobs, our land and our rights must be protected. Instead of addressing our democratic demands, the government is preventing us from protesting. We will continue our peaceful agitation until Jammu and Kashmir regains its statehood,” a Congress leader said.
Another Congress leader described August 5, 2019, as a “painful day” in Jammu and Kashmir’s history, alleging that the region’s special constitutional status and rights had been taken away. The leader also expressed concern over unemployment and urged the Centre to restore the rights of the people.
Meanwhile, the National Conference held a separate protest outside Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan. Party leaders and workers, wearing black badges and carrying party flags and placards, also attempted to march but were stopped by police, resulting in brief jostling with security personnel.
NC leaders reiterated their demand for the restoration of statehood and constitutional rights, maintaining that the August 5, 2019 decision was unacceptable to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“The decision taken on August 5, 2019, behind closed doors, will never be accepted by the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We are not asking for anything new; we are only seeking the restoration of the rights that were taken away in 2019,” an NC leader said.
Responding to the BJP’s assertion that the abrogation of Article 370 had helped curb terrorism, the NC leader questioned the claim, saying militant attacks and casualties among security personnel continued.
“If terrorism ended with the abrogation of Article 370, why are security personnel still being martyred? Why do attacks on civilians and security forces continue?” the leader asked.
The protests were held amid heightened political activity across Jammu and Kashmir on the anniversary of the Centre’s August 5, 2019 decision to abrogate Article 370 and reorganise the erstwhile state into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
