Srinagar, Jul 19 (KNO): Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Chief Tariq Hameed Karra on Saturday said that police foiled the march by Congress leaders and workers here seeking the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
“Our peaceful march was not allowed, showing the real face of the department, which does not trust and believe in democracy. It was not only about restoration of statehood but also restoration of democracy, which was blatantly and brutally trampled today,” Karra told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
He said police prevented party workers from moving out of the JKPCC headquarters and locked its gates from “inside and outside.” Karra alleged that 300–400 workers were stopped at different entry points and denied entry into the city.
Karra said that despite the restrictions, a youth wing delegation managed to reach the Div Com’s office in Srinagar and submitted a memorandum before being detained briefly. “Later, we sent a copy of the memorandum through e-mail to the Lieutenant Governor,” he added.
He said the party had sought permission from the administration to hold the march but received no response.
Speaking to the media at party headquarters, Karra said that since the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories on August 5, 2019, the Congress Party has been consistently campaigning for the restoration of constitutional rights.
He said that the Congress leadership, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, pressing for immediate statehood restoration.
Karra said that similar protests will be held in Jammu on July 20, followed by a march to New Delhi on July 21, where Congress leaders plan to stage a demonstration near Parliament. “We will take the voices, aspirations, and pain of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to the heart of the nation,” Karra added—(KNO)