Kashmir: The Apni Party J&K organized a notable demonstration in Srinagar today, demanding that Jammu and Kashmir be granted statehood prior to any electoral processes.
Held in the city’s central area, the protest attracted a substantial turnout of party members and supporters, all advocating for timely elections and the revocation of recent directives that have expanded the administrative powers of the Lieutenant Governor (LG).
Gh Hassan Mir, the senior vice president of Apni Party, led the protest, reiterating the party’s dedication to safeguarding the democratic rights of Jammu and Kashmir’s residents.
“We insist on the immediate reinstatement of statehood. Elections should be deferred until full statehood is restored, in line with the central government’s promises. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are entitled to their democratic rights and dignity,” Mir declared.
Party leaders expressed their discontent with the central government’s procrastination in restoring statehood and called for the withdrawal of recent orders under the J&K Reorganisation Act that have empowered the LG with increased authority.
“Our issue is not with the LG personally, but the concentration of power in the LG’s office should be reversed. These orders undermine the principles of democracy and self-governance,” they asserted.
They emphasized that while elections should proceed as scheduled, the restoration of statehood must precede them.
