Jammu, 16 July (H.S.): Congress party has decided to intensify its Statehood movement by holding protest demonstrations in Jammu, Srinagar and Delhi in next few days, on the eve of Parliamentary session starting from July 21st.

This was decided in an emergency meeting of senior party leaders held at PCC office Jammu under the chairmanship of PCC president, Tariq Hameed Karra here today.

JKPCC chief said that Congress party has been protesting against the arbitrary, unconstitutional and undemocratic disbanding and downgrading of the historical state and had been demanding its restoration from day one while it is carrying on a movement for the restoration of Statehood, “Hamari Riyasat, Hamara Haq” since last year after the holding of Assembly elections and held series of protests, dharnas and public meetings all over Jammu and Kashmir but the BJP led Centre Govt is silent on the promise made on the floor of the house and in the Supreme Court as well as public commitments during the Assembly elections. This clearly indicates the intention of the Central Govt, not to grant early Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

Karra said that Congress consistently maintained that dual control system, even after the taking over of the elected Govt. is an insult to the mandate of the people. He said that the yesterday’s incident with the elected Chief Minister and his cabinet colleagues is the worst example of the dual control system and anti-democratic approach of the Centre towards Jammu and Kashmir. It is an insult to the mandate of the people and negation of the basic spirit of the democracy, he added.

It was decided to hold a strong protest demonstrations in Jammu and Srinagar followed by holding a peaceful dharna at Delhi in the next few days, keeping in view the forthcoming Parliament session in order to press the Centre Govt to bring a bill for the restoration of full Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir in the light of Supreme Court’s directions in this regard.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar