NC-BJP face-off in J&K as supporters gather to gherao each other’s offices

Srinagar, Sep 2 (IANS) Ahead of the ruling National Conference (NC) and opposition Bharatiya Janata Party’s decision to ‘gherao’ offices of the rival parties and the protest march to the civil secretariat by the BJP, heavy deployment of security forces was made on Wednesday to maintain law and order in Srinagar city.

In view of the NC’s planned protest outside the BJP headquarters in Srinagar, police have blocked several roads leading to the party office in Jawahar Nagar, with vehicles being stopped from proceeding to the area.

Police personnel have been deployed in strength across Jawahar Nagar, Raj Bagh, Wazir Bagh and adjoining areas as security arrangements were intensified ahead of the proposed protest.

Traffic movement towards Jawahar Nagar has been restricted at several points, with vehicles not being allowed to proceed towards the BJP headquarters.

The restrictions have affected movement on roads connecting the surrounding residential and commercial areas. The security measures come amid the NC call for a peaceful ‘gherao’ of BJP headquarters in Srinagar and Jammu over demands including restoration of statehood, constitutional safeguards and other issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir.

The BJP has also announced a protest, setting the stage for heightened political activity in Srinagar during the day.

The police deployment and road restrictions are aimed at preventing any confrontation and maintaining law and order around the BJP office and adjoining areas.

The BJP has planned a protest march to the civil secretariat in Srinagar beginning from city centre Lal Chowk.

Heavy deployment of security forces has been made in Lal Chowk and along the road leading to the civil secretariat in Batmaloo area of the city.

Despite heavy deployment, BJP leaders and workers gathered at Lal Chowk for their protest march.

The NC ‘gherao’, according to party leaders, is intended to mount pressure on the Central government to implement promises made by the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister and the submission of the Centre in the Supreme Court to restore statehood to J&K and the constitutional guarantees.

The BJP protest is being carried out against alleged failure of the NC government to fulfil promises made to the people during the 2024 elections regarding employment, free electric power, better governance, etc.

–IANS

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