Srinagar, Sep 2: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday alleged that the administration and police treated the National Conference (NC) and BJP protests in Srinagar differently, claiming NC protesters were “brutally repressed” while the BJP demonstration was facilitated.
“There is no comparison in the manner in which the two protests were treated. One was facilitated and one was brutally repressed,” Omar told reporters.
The Chief Minister alleged that NC workers were dragged away during their protest and that some protesters were injured and required hospital treatment.
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“The difference in the treatment of the two protests was visible to everyone. You saw BJP being allowed to protest and National Conference not being allowed,” he said.
The NC had staged a demonstration demanding restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and constitutional safeguards, with protesters marching towards the BJP office in Srinagar.
The BJP, meanwhile, held a counter-protest in Srinagar, targeting the NC-led government over its performance, development issues and the recent power tariff hike.
Omar said the contrasting handling of the two demonstrations was apparent from the access given to the media and political leaders during the BJP protest.
“Everyone saw how easily the media were able to interview the Leader of the Opposition during the BJP protest,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the incident reflected what he described as the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir, alleging that certain forms of protest were being permitted while others were being restricted.
“If you want to march to the Chief Minister’s residence, you are allowed. If you want to gherao the Secretariat, you are allowed. But if you want to protest outside the BJP office, you will not be allowed,” Omar said.
His remarks came after the NC and BJP held competing demonstrations in Srinagar on Wednesday, with the NC pressing the Centre to fulfil its commitment on restoration of statehood, while the BJP accused the Omar Abdullah-led government of failing to deliver on governance and development.
