Jammu, Feb 14: Stepping up pressure on the Centre, the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) on Saturday led a protest march in Jammu, asserting that its agitation for the restoration of full statehood to the Union Territory will continue until the demand is fulfilled.
The march, which also flagged concerns over the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), was halted by police at Jewel Chowk. Senior party leaders, including Syed Naseer Hussain, AICC General Secretary (J&K Affairs), and JKPCC President Tariq Hameed Karra, were briefly detained.
Addressing party workers before the march was stopped, Karra said the restoration of statehood remains the Congress’ foremost priority.
“Statehood was promised to the people of J&K over six years ago. This is not just a political demand but the will of the people. The Congress party will continue its movement until this legitimate right is fully restored,” he said, as per Kashmir Convener.
Dr. Syed Naseer Hussain said the delay in restoring statehood has deepened public discontent. “The Modi government must immediately announce the restoration of full statehood. There can be no further delay. The entire Congress leadership stands firmly with the people and the JKPCC in this struggle,” he said.
Senior Congress leader and legislator Ghulam Ahmad Mir said the issue resonates across regions. “There is participation from all corners of J&K in this protest. It reflects the mood of the masses, who see statehood restoration as key to their democratic rights. We will intensify this struggle on the streets and in the legislature,” Mir added.
Working President Raman Bhalla termed the restoration of statehood “long overdue,” linking it to the democratic aspirations of the people.
The protest saw participation from party workers across both Jammu and Kashmir regions. Prominent leaders present included former ministers Mula Ram, Yogesh Sawhney, Jugal Kishore Sharma, G. M. Saroori, Majid Wani, and MLAs Nizamuddin Bhat, Irfan Lone and Iftikhar Ahmed.
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