Congress’ statehood march foiled in Valley; leaders vow to continue protest

The police on Saturday foiled a protest march by Congress leaders and workers in Srinagar, who were demanding the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) had announced on Friday that it would march towards the office of the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, from the party headquarters and submit a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister through the Lieutenant Governor.

However, as workers gathered at the party office in Srinagar on Saturday morning, led by J&K Congress president Tariq Hameed Karra, police personnel closed the main gate of the party office from the outside, effectively preventing the march, officials said.

In a statement, the party said the JKPCC had launched a massive ‘Chalo Kashmir’ march under the banner of Hamari Riyasat, Hamara Haq, led by Karra and other senior leaders.

The party alleged that their leaders were stopped by heavy police deployment outside the Congress headquarters in Srinagar, with the gates locked and no permission granted to submit the memorandum demanding the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

Karra said the police blocked the peaceful march and confined them inside the office, “while we were peacefully demanding the restoration of statehood, a right unjustly taken from us.”

“This heavy-handed, undemocratic use of police power to suppress our voices will not deter us. Statehood was promised on the floor of Parliament, and the Supreme Court has directed its restoration. Yet, the L-G administration continues to obstruct our legitimate demand. We will not be silenced. Our resolve is stronger than ever, and no force can stop the people of Jammu and Kashmir from reclaiming what is rightfully ours,” Karra said.

He further termed the police action as “a shameful attack on democracy.”

“The authoritarian mishandling of Congress leaders and workers, who were stopped from peacefully marching for statehood, is disgraceful. Elected voices are being brutally suppressed. We demand justice and restoration of our rights, as promised by Parliament and directed by the Supreme Court. This oppression will not silence us,” Karra added.

Karra also said that police intercepted vehicles carrying Congress workers from North Kashmir at Narbal Point and prevented them from reaching Srinagar.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by the party later stated, “Karra received minor injuries during the course of scuffle and the use of force by the police to thwart the peaceful march towards the Divisional Commissioner office.” According to the party, several Congress leaders were detained and later released.

With the Parliament session set to begin on Monday, the Congress party has intensified its campaign for the restoration of statehood. A day after the session begins, the Congress has also announced a protest in Delhi on July 22 to press the statehood demand.

Earlier this week, Congress leaders also wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to introduce legislation to grant full statehood to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.