Opp parties in J&K to protest today for ‘full statehood, rights’

Jammu, Aug 02: Various political parties in Jammu and Kashmir are set to hold a protest on Saturday, demanding full statehood for Jammu and Kashmir and the restoration of democratic rights. They are also calling for the rollback of recent amendments made to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act.
The final decision to hold the protest was taken in a meeting at the National Conference (NC) office in Jammu on Friday, Shiv Sena (UBT) J&K said in a statement issued here.
Key attendees included Manish Sahni (State Head Shiv Sena (UBT) and convener of APUM), Ratan Lal Gupta (NC State President), Narendra Gupta (Congress), Vijay Lochan (NC), Rakesh Singh (NC), Sunny Kant Chimb (HRC), Nirmal Mahana (AAP), Narendra Singh (Shiromani Akali Dal), Comrade Sukhdev Singh (DBYC), Subhash Mehta (CPL), Narendra Khajuria, Chandra Mohan (NC Jammu District President), Pradeep Bali, Sheikh Bashir Ahmed, Rakesh Singh Raka, Jatinder Singh Lucky, Vikram Puri, Gurnam Singh, and Sanjeev Kohli.
Shiv Sena (UBT) J&K Chief Manish Sahni briefed the media, saying that a peaceful dharna will be held at the Maharaja Hari Singh statue site under the banner of the All Party United Front. “The recent amendments to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act increased the jurisdiction of the Lieutenant Governor and undermined the voting rights of the people. This will be a key issue of the protest. The demonstrators will demand the immediate rollback of these amendments, the return of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, and the restoration of the rights of the local people,” he said.
Sahni said that except for the BJP, leaders and workers from almost all opposition parties, including the Congress, NC, PDP, Shiv Sena (UBT), AAP, Shiromani Akali Dal, CPM and various social organisations, will participate in the demonstration.
All leaders have appealed to the public to enthusiastically join the protest to reclaim their rights,” the statement added.