Scores of residents of Jammu celebrated the passing of special status resolution at the district headquarters of the Jammu Kashmir National conference. (NC)
Joined by both local and the workers of NC raising slogans in favour the chief minister of Jammu Kashmir, Omar Abdullah burst crackers welcoming the passing of the resolution to demand special status for the region.
Mission statehood president, Sunil Dimple hailing the move said that the people of Jammu who have faced immense hardships for the last several years are welcoming the move of the state government.
“On 5 August, the central government made an attempt to snatch the regional autonomy and identity of Jammu Kashmir. State subject law granted by Dogra kings was snatched from us and the Dogra pride was reduced to a mere symbolism by the BJP. There were people in Jammu who opposed the decision, but the IT cell of the BJP labelled them with one or the other tag, but nevertheless, we did not give up the fight,” Dimple said.
He said that the state government, through the resolution, has made an attempt to preserve the heritage of Maharaja Hari Singh who fought for the special status of Jammu Kashmir.
Several traders and transporters among other local residents have welcomed the move, however, several others including the Bhartiya Janta party protested against the resolution.
“Article 370 has been buried a long time ago and we will not allow any anti-national agenda in Jammu Kashmir, be it in the assembly or outside it,” a senior BJP leader said, while the party memeber set afire the effigies of the incumbent chief minister.
The Gorkha community also staged protests against the passage of the bill.