Vows peaceful agitation for restoration of J&K’s special status, statehood*
Srinagar, Sep 02: Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister and National Conference (NC) leader Sakina Itoo on Wednesday said the party would continue its peaceful struggle for restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and statehood, asserting that “every day is a day of protest” for the party.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the NC protest in Srinagar, Minister itoo per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the demand for restoration of the rights of Jammu and Kashmir had continued since 2019 and would be pursued at every level.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir chose it and they can choose any day. For us, every day is a day of protest, and every day we will peacefully demand, at every level and on every platform, that our rights be restored,” she said.
Itoo said the demand was not confined to the NC but reflected the sentiments of people across Jammu and Kashmir. “This is not just the voice of one organisation, but it is the voice of the people of the entire Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.
The minister alleged that restrictions had been imposed at several places to prevent people from joining the protest and claimed that checkpoints had been established at multiple locations.
She also alleged that BJP workers were allowed to move freely through Lal Chowk while NC protesters faced restrictions. “This injustice, pressure and harassment will not be tolerated. We will continue to demand our rights and will do so peacefully. InshaAllah, we will achieve them,” she said.
“Our effort and our demand is that Article 370 and Article 35A be restored and statehood be restored, so that this high-handedness comes to an end,” Itoo said.—(KNO)
