BJP, NC Stage Parallel Protests in Srinagar as Police Halt Marches Towards Civil Secretariat and BJP Party Office
Srinagar, September 2 (ANB): Political activity intensified in Srinagar on Wednesday as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the ruling National Conference (NC) held separate demonstrations, with police stopping both parties from marching towards their respective destinations.
The BJP staged a protest at Lal Chowk, where party leaders and workers assembled before taking out a procession towards Jahangir Chowk. The protesters sought to proceed towards the Civil Secretariat, but police intercepted the march at Jahangir Chowk and prevented it from moving further.
Meanwhile, the National Conference organised a separate demonstration in Rajbagh and planned to march towards the BJP headquarters. Police also stopped the proposed procession before it could reach its destination.
Security personnel remained deployed at both locations to regulate the gatherings and prevent the two processions from coming into proximity. Officials said there were no general restrictions on movement across the city.
BJP Targets Omar Abdullah Government Over Public Issues
Addressing BJP workers and supporters at Lal Chowk, Leader of Opposition in the J&K Legislative Assembly and senior BJP leader Sunil Sharma launched a sharp attack on the Omar Abdullah-led government, alleging that it had failed to fulfil several commitments made to the people during the Assembly elections.
Sharma raised issues concerning electricity, drinking water, roads, employment and rising power bills. He alleged that several assurances made by the National Conference during the elections had not been implemented.
The BJP leader also questioned the government over the issue of statehood and challenged the administration to seek a fresh mandate from the people on the matter.
He said the BJP would continue to raise issues that, according to the party, were directly affecting the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Sat Sharma Says Government Must Address Public Concerns
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-led government.
He alleged that public dissatisfaction with the administration was growing and said the government must address people's concerns and deliver on its commitments.
Sat Sharma also criticised the NC over its political approach to issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan.
NC Presses Centre on Statehood, Safeguards and Reservation
At Rajbagh, the National Conference held its demonstration against the BJP-led Union government, with party leaders saying the protest was intended to draw attention to commitments made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
NC chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq said the party wanted the BJP leadership at the Centre to act on its assurances concerning Jammu and Kashmir.
He said the NC had planned a peaceful march towards the BJP headquarters to convey its demands to the central leadership, clarifying that the protest was directed at the BJP-led government at the Centre rather than the party's local leadership.
The principal demands raised by the NC included restoration of statehood, constitutional safeguards and rationalisation of the reservation system. The party also highlighted issues concerning employment and the aspirations of the youth.
Sakina Itoo Reiterates NC's Constitutional Demands
NC leader and Education Minister Sakina Itoo said the party would continue its campaign for what it described as the restoration of the rights and safeguards of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
She reiterated the NC's demand for the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A, along with statehood, and said the party would pursue these issues through peaceful and democratic means.
Itoo also alleged that some NC workers faced difficulties while travelling to the protest venue.
Nasir Aslam Wani Raises Statehood and Reservation Issues
Chief Minister's Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani said the National Conference had been awaiting action on commitments concerning Jammu and Kashmir.
He particularly highlighted restoration of statehood and rationalisation of reservations, describing both as important issues, especially for the younger generation.
Wani questioned the delay in addressing these matters and said the party had exercised patience while awaiting concrete action.
Police Halt Both Processions
The NC demonstration continued at Rajbagh before police intervened and stopped the proposed march towards the BJP office.
Similarly, the BJP procession from Lal Chowk was halted at Jahangir Chowk before it could proceed towards the Civil Secretariat.
Despite sharp political exchanges and competing demands, both demonstrations remained peaceful. Police maintained a visible presence at the two locations and prevented the rival processions from advancing towards their intended destinations.
The parallel protests marked another day of heightened political activity in Srinagar, with the BJP focusing on governance and public grievances, while the National Conference pressed for statehood, constitutional safeguards and reforms to the reservation framework. ANB
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