NC MLAs Protest Outside J&K Assembly Demanding Statehood, Action Against Harassment of Kashmiris
NC legislators protest outside Assembly, seek fulfilment of Centre’s promise and safeguards for Kashmiris nationwide
Jammu, Feb 3: National Conference (NC) legislators on Tuesday staged a protest outside the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, pressing for the restoration of statehood and seeking firm action against the alleged targeting of Kashmiris in other parts of the country.
Before the Assembly session began, NC MLAs gathered near the complex holding placards demanding the return of statehood and constitutional safeguards, while also calling for the safety and dignity of Kashmiris living or working outside the Union Territory. The legislators raised slogans and sat in a dharna to underline what they described as long-pending and unfulfilled assurances.
Speaking to reporters, Minister Satish Sharma said the protest was aimed at reminding the Centre of its commitment to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. NC MLA Tanvir Sadiq said the entire party legislature was united on the issue, asserting that the promise made to the people must now be honoured.
Sadiq also highlighted reports of Kashmiris facing harassment in several states and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to direct state governments to ensure their protection.
The issue later echoed inside the Assembly as NC MLA Mubarak Gul and PDP legislator Wahid-ur-Rehman Para raised concerns over recent incidents involving Kashmiri traders and students outside J&K.
Their remarks came in the backdrop of an incident in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun district, where an 18 year old Kashmiri youth was seriously injured after allegedly being assaulted while selling shawls on January 28. Similar complaints of intimidation and attacks against Kashmiri shawl sellers have surfaced from other states as well.
