BJP, NC march against each other in Srinagar; CM alleges police bias

Opposition BJP and governing National Conference (NC) held competing protest marches against each other

SRINAGAR: Opposition BJP and governing National Conference (NC) held competing protest marches against each other in Srinagar Wednesday, with J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah accusing the UT administration of bias against NC protesters after they were blocked from heading to the BJP office.The BJP protest, starting from Lal Chowk, was similarly stopped from proceeding to Civil Secretariat. A large number of people joined the BJP demonstration to protest against alleged unemployment, backdoor appointments, and misgovernance.

The NC protest, led by health minister Sakina Itoo, demanded the restoration of Article 370 and J&K’s statehood.Omar later alleged asymmetry in the police response to the two protest marches, stating, “One (BJP) was facilitated and one (NC) was brutally repressed. Colleagues of mine were dragged… some of them had to receive treatment in hospital.”Demanding Omar’s resignation as the CM, leader of opposition in the assembly, Sunil Sharma, who led the BJP protest, said, “We had called for a minor protest, but people have come out on the streets in large numbers to show their anger against the NC govt.”The CM rejected the demand. “I will not resign for the happiness of the leader of opposition. The people of J&K have given us five years. We will present our report card to the people after five years,” Omar said.PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti questioned the marches. “The very same police that won’t allow PDP to step outside its office to hold a peaceful protest on public issues have facilitated both BJP and NC to protest against each other,” she said.