The police have decided to allow peaceful protests against petitions challenging Article 35A in the Supreme Court.
The police will, however, keep a close watch on protests and ensure no demonstration takes an ugly turn.
“We will allow peaceful protests. A protestor is well within the rights to stage a peaceful protest,” director general of police Shesh Paul Vaid told Kashmir Post.
“Those protesting against (petitions) challenging the article 35A will be dealt with sympathetically,” he said.
A slew of petitions challenging Article 35A would be heard by the apex court on August 6.
The Article 35A empowers J&K legislature to define the permanent residents of the state.
Police apprehend demonstrations after Friday prayers on August 4 in Kashmir and also on August 5 and 6.
The Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik have called for protest and strike on August 5 and 6 against the “attempts aimed at tinkering with the article 35 A.”
At least 27 major organisations that include trade bodies, hoteliers, houseboat owners, industrialists, and transporters have already started a phased protest program from July 31.
They have also supported JRL’s two-day strike program while asserting they “would sacrifice everything” to protect the state’s state-subject rights.
The police, however, have a contingency plan if the situation turns ugly.
“We will not allow the situation to go out of control. We have made preparations to face violent as well as non-violent protests,” said a senior police official, requesting anonymity.
“We will keep a watch on anti-social elements as they may try to sabotage peaceful protests and create law and order problems,” he said.
Police to ‘Allow’ peaceful protests against Article 35A Row
