Opposition parties stage joint protest in Kathua, demand restoration of IIOJK’s special status
Jammu: Local opposition parties held a joint sit-in protest demonstration in Kathua today, demanding the restoration of statehood along with special status in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the protesters asked for a joint struggle by all Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, and tribes for the restoration of IIOJK’s special status. They demanded the rollback of amendments, which deprived the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir of their rights to land, properties and jobs in the wake of post-August 5, 2019 illegal actions.
The protest was held under the banner of All Parties United Morcha, a coalition of various political and social organizations.
The protesters carrying placards inscribed with “Restore statehood of Jammu and Kashmir with Special Status” warned India’s Modi government to undo the August 5, 2019, illegal actions or be ready to face a Bangladesh-like situation.
The protesters raised slogans for the restoration of special status, unity in their demand, and against the Modi government. They also chanted slogans for the restoration of rights to land, property, and jobs for locals in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and against Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s administration.
The sit-in protest followed an all-party meeting held yesterday at the Congress Office in Jammu, where representatives of Congress, NC, Shiv Sena (UBT), PDP, AAP, S Akali Dal, CPI ML, AIPA, HRS, and DBMC announced a joint protest against the Indian government’s decision to revoke Article 370 and grant unbridled powers to the Lieutenant Governor.
