Several Congress leaders and party workers were detained in Jammu on Sunday after police stopped their march towards the Lok Bhavan. The march was organised to submit a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu, demanding the immediate restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
The protest was led by Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hameed Karra. It took place a day before the National Conference's planned demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on the same issue.
Before beginning the march, hundreds of Congress supporters gathered at Maharaja Hari Singh Park in Jammu. They held a peaceful sit-in and raised slogans calling for the return of statehood to the Union Territory.
Police set up barricades at Jewel Chowk to prevent the protesters from moving towards the Lok Bhavan. As some workers tried to cross the barricades, a brief scuffle broke out. Police then detained several Congress leaders and workers, including Karra, AICC general secretary G A Mir, working president Raman Bhalla, and a number of former ministers and legislators.
Speaking to mediapersons before the march, Karra said his party has been running a campaign for the restoration of statehood for almost two years. He said the party has organised district-level programmes, hunger strikes and public campaigns across all 20 districts under the slogans "Chalo Srinagar", "Chalo Jammu" and "Chalo Delhi".
He said the memorandum was meant to be handed over at the Lieutenant Governor's residence so it could be forwarded to the President of India.
Karra also said the Congress plans to step up its campaign with another round of district-level programmes. He added that the party is considering a long march from Lakhanpur in Kathua to Lolab in north Kashmir to strengthen the movement.
When asked about the Congress joining the National Conference's protest in Delhi on Monday, Karra said he and G A Mir would travel to the national capital. He added that the party's central leadership would decide which other leaders would participate.
Karra also urged the government to announce a proper rehabilitation package for families affected by the recent flash floods in Poonch and Rajouri. He said the floods had caused heavy damage to lives, homes and property.
G A Mir said people across Jammu and Kashmir had voted enthusiastically in the Assembly elections because they believed the Prime Minister's assurance that statehood would be restored after delimitation and elections were completed. He said nearly two years have passed since then, but the Centre has still not taken any concrete steps to fulfil that promise.
Mir added that the Congress has been leading the "Hamari Riyasat, Hamara Haq" campaign for the past two years. According to him, the party has consistently raised the issue in Jammu and Kashmir, New Delhi and Parliament.
Referring to the National Conference's protest on Monday, Mir said the Congress supports every initiative that strengthens the demand for statehood because it concerns all the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
At the same time, he alleged that the BJP's decision to hold demonstrations in Srinagar on the same day appeared to be an attempt to weaken the protest taking place in Delhi.
Former minister G M Saroori said restoring statehood is important to protect the democratic rights and constitutional aspirations of the people. He said the Congress will continue its peaceful movement until the demand is met.
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