Apni Party urges GoI to restore all democratic rights to Jammu & Kashmir

Srinagar, July 30: J&K Apni Party on Tuesday, held a protest demonstration demanding the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir before the assembly elections are held.

The demonstration which was led by senior vice-president Ghulam Hassan Mir and joined by party’s seniors leaders and workers, was flagged off from party headquarters here in Church Lane Srinagar, however police didn’t allow the procession to proceed towards Press Enclave Srinagar.

The protesters raised slogans demanding the immediate restoration of all democratic rights to Jammu and Kashmir, especially its statehood. They were demanding the restoration of the statehood to J&K before the assembly elections are held here.

Speaking to reporters, Ghulam Hassan Mir said the purpose of the protest is to remind the central government of its promises regarding the restoration of Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. “The Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Home Minister Amit Shah have promised that statehood to J&K will be restored soon. However, nearly five years have passed since, and this promise remains unfulfilled. Instead, the people of J&K have been further disempowered and deprived of their rights through various initiatives during this period,” Mir said.

He said AP demands the immediate restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. “We want the restoration of the statehood that existed before August 5, 2019. Furthermore, we want the central government to respect the sentiments of the people and provide them with all the rights they are entitled to as per the constitution of the country,” he said.

Mir condemned the police action halting party’s peaceful protest. “It was a peaceful protest conducted in a democratic manner for a genuine cause. It is disappointing that the government did not permit even this peaceful demonstration. In democracies, holding a peaceful protest is a fundamental right and is allowed in every civilized society. Preventing such a protest is a cowardly act by the government, and we condemn it,” he added.