SRINAGAR: People held protest demonstrations in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) against the anti-people policies of the authorities. According to Kashmir Media Service, residents of Nawab Bazar locality in Srinagar staged a protest against installation of Smart Meters.
Protesters, including men, women and children blocked the bridge leading to SMHS hospital near Nawab Bazaar, resulting in chaotic traffic along the vital road. The protesters gathered on the bridge while demanding that the administration remove Smart Meters which, they said, were installed a month back. With children and women standing and raising slogans against the authorities’ move, chairs were kept for aged protesters to sit and join the demand. This is the fifth protest in the last five days against the installation of ‘Smart Meters’ in Kashmir. Prior to this, people of Hawal, Batamaloo, Chattabal, Umerabad and Sopore staged protests against the move. Meanwhile, the physically challenged persons, including deaf and dumb, orthopedically and visually disabled persons in Jammu staged a protest demanding resumption of already sanctioned pensions in their favour. A representative of these people told reporters that the authorities stopped pensions to the physically challenged persons after the month of February this year. He said that physically challenged persons used to get Rs 1000 per month as pension and this continued till February 2023. A sit-in protest was held by the Jagti Tenement Committee (JTC) and Soan Kashmir Front at Jagti township, Nagrota in Jammu under the chairmanship of president JTC and SKF, Shadi Lal Pandita. Addressing the protesters Pandita said that the water supply scheme constructed for Jagti Township has completely failed and the camp inmates are facing water scarcity. He said the water supply turns defunct during the rainy season and despite the repeated requests the administration failed to set it right or renovate it with the result the migrants are put to many hardships. He also expressed dismay over the long duration power cuts in the Jagti Township.
Vice President of National Conference in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah has said that the local political leaders have grown accustomed to curbs put on their movement post-August 2019 but such measures cannot weaken their connection with the masses.
Omar Abdullah talking to media persons at the sidelines of a party convention at Batote in Ramban district said that Jammu and Kashmir was divided into two union territories in 2019, following the repeal of Article 370 which gave special status to the territory.
He said restrictions on movement of NC leaders and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti is not new but after August 5, 2019, it is a regular affair. “We have become accustomed to it but we have also learned how to dodge and fight back and we will continue to do so,” Omar said.
“In August 2019, people were promised jobs. They came out with a list, cancelled it the next day followed by inquiry. Those who qualified for the jobs lost the opportunity and crossed the age limit,” Omar deplored.
On the authorities’ move to give five marlas of land to the homeless, he said the administration has changed the state subject laws post-August 2019 which has caused a problem. He said the admin must ascertain for how long the people have been living in Kashmir before they are extended the benefits of the scheme.
Omar said NC has pinned hopes on the Indian Supreme Court which is going to hear a bunch of petitions challenging Article 370 abrogation from next month. “We are hopeful that citizens of Kashmir will get justice,” he added.
The High Court of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir has quashed the illegal detention of seven persons booked under draconian Public Safety Act (PSA) and directed the authorities to release all the detainees from custody.
The court has quashed PSA of Fayaz Ahmad Butt, Riyaz Ahmad Ganaie, Farhad Ahmad Lone, Altaf Ahmad Najar, Mohammad Shafi Butt, Abid Hussain Ganie and Shafayat Ahmad Shah. The court has quashed these PSAs for failure to provide the material on which detention orders were passed.
